Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that the development of and investment in the mobile telephone services here are sufficient to meet the expected challenges of targets in respect of the development of such services in the context of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11446/07]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has issued directives or guidelines with a view to ensuring that mobile telephony here is of a quality and standard equal to that available throughout Europe without exception; if such targets have been identified by him in the context of the national development plan for implementation by the service providers within the lifespan of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11474/07]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the availability of high quality mobile telephony to date, is in accordance with the economic projections in the national development plan with particular reference to the achievement of 100% service in all areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11427/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 160 and 175 together.

I have no function in regulating the provision of services in the telecommunications market. The provision of telecommunications services, including the quality and standard of mobile services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act of 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services. In a fully liberalised market, I have no powers to directly influence the behaviour of private sector companies.

ComReg sets out the obligations on mobile network operators with regard to population coverage. These obligations are set down in the licence conditions for each operator. All four mobile network operators have complied with these targets to date.

The mobile network operators in Ireland, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and 3, are all investing significantly in their networks and ComReg estimates that a combined sum of more than €600m is spent annually on mobile networks in Ireland. The National Development Plan did not set any specific targets in respect of mobile phone services in the Irish market.