Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is supporting the consumer protection tariff proposals announced on 25 January 2007 by the current holder of the EU Presidency, Germany, to tackle mobile roaming charges; if he has had contact with Commissioner Charlie McCreevy on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5257/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Since coming into office I have highlighted the issue of roaming charges. Following pressure from myself, my Northern Ireland counterpart and the regulators, all the Irish mobile phone operators introduced special tariffs to address the cost of roaming on this island. I have strongly supported the European Commission in bringing forward proposals for a regulation on roaming. High charges for roaming within the EU represent a very clear example of a barrier to the single market.

The German presidency compromise proposal is currently the subject of negotiation at EU level. My officials are playing an active role in these negotiations. One element of the proposal is the concept of a consumer protection tariff. This would be a tariff that operators would have to make available to all customers. A ceiling would be set for the level of this consumer protection tariff. Operators would be free to charge customers below this ceiling. While acknowledging that these issues are still under negotiation, we can support the concept of a consumer protection tariff that would provide protection to customers.

My officials, through their participation in the negotiations, have been in regular contact with the commission. The relevant Commissioner who brought forward the original Commission proposal is Commissioner Viviane Reding. The Commission as a whole approved the original Commission proposals.