Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the proposed adoption on 13 November 2007 by the EU Commission of reform proposals for the EU telecom rules; the reform proposals and the stage Ireland is at to comply with these proposals in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28954/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The EU Commission's proposals for reform of the electronic communications legislative framework, which were published this week, are part of an ongoing review of the current regulatory package that commenced in late 2005 and which will help to ensure that the framework keeps pace with technological and market developments and remains effective over the coming decade.

Officials in my Department have participated fully in the review to date, sharing our views with the Commission and consulting with stakeholders along the way, including a forum held last September to garner industry and interested parties' views.

The key issues in the Commission's new proposals, which are available on the EU Commission's website, include:

The establishment of a new EU Telecoms market authority to ensure greater regulatory consistency across Europe.

Giving National Regulatory Authorities the possibility of imposing functional separation as a remedy to tackle competition problems, where all other regulatory tools have proved to be inadequate.

The extension of the Commission's powers to allow a veto on the remedies to be applied by National Regulatory Authorities where dominance in a market is found.

A more coordinated approach to spectrum management.

Stronger consumer powers, especially for people with disabilities.

I look forward to examining the Commission's proposals in more detail and participating in the negotiations, through to the adoption of revised Directives in 2009-2010.