Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has outlined a particular policy to be followed by the regulator or service providers with a view to bringing mobile telephone coverage here by to international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10668/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure that the telecommunications sector here is brought into line with the service available in other EU states with particular reference to the pivotal role and responsibility of the telecommunications sector in the area of improving this country's economic prospects on the international arena; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10674/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 220 together.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding the quality of services and coverage in the mobile phone market, is the responsibility of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the Regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications. The relevant service providers operate in a fully liberalised market.

The widespread provision of telecommunications services continues to be a major priority for the Government. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector providers. Where market failure has occurred in the provision of electronic communications the Government has intervened such as in the case of the provision of broadband infrastructure in the regions and the National Broadband Scheme.

The Irish telecommunications market is healthy and competitive. ComReg's Market Report, in respect of quarter ended 30 September 2008, shows that the overall electronic telecommunications network and service revenues at the end of September 2008 were approximately €4.44 billion per annum. Full details of the latest progress in the Irish telecommunications market are available in ComReg's Irish Communications Market: Key Data Report — Q3 2008, on www.comreg.ie.

The Department plays an active role in negotiations on telecommunication matters at EU level and I will continue to engage with the Council of Ministers in seeking to ensure that the regulatory framework is designed to further improve the quality and availability of telecommunications services.