Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the benefits or otherwise to the consumer arising from competition in the telecoms sector here; the measures in place to allow consumers to easily change from one service provider to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38970/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The telecoms market in Ireland is fully liberalised and open and the provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies. Statutory responsibility for the regulation of this sector rests with the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations transposing the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

One of ComReg's key objectives is the promotion of competition and the interests of users in the sector. The advantages of an open and liberalised market and competition include increased choice of operators, products and services, flexibility and benefits in terms of prices. Changing from one service provider to another is a contractual matter between the customer and the service provider concerned.