Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the development of 4G in Ireland is dependent on the digital dividend which would arise through the successful roll out of digital terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37785/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The development of fourth generation (4G) electronic communications services that use the radio spectrum is not dependant on the Digital Dividend that arises from the switching-off of analogue television broadcasting services. 4G services will be provided using multiple aggregated bands of the radio spectrum. The Digital Dividend will, however, release additional spectrum, some of which will be made available for innovative 4G services.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the discrepancy between the emergence of Google street view which allows any phone or Internet user to view any individual property when the postcode system proposed by him will not allow for the pinpointing of individual properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37806/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD which does not have a national postcode system.

There is no correlation between Google street view and the National Postcode Project as they have fundamentally different applications. Google street view is a private sector proposition and I have no role in relation to its design and development.

The most recent set of discussions related to the implementation of postcodes in Ireland have been ongoing since 2003 and led to the appointment of the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB), who recommended in 2006 that Ireland should implement a postcode system.

Having evaluated a variety of options with regards to the technical specification of any National Postcode System (NPS), the NPPB also recommended that the optimum technical solution to be adopted in support of the realisation of these benefits was the 'Postal Sector Model'. This uses an 'ABC 123' structure to reference in the first instance the relevant Post Town, and secondly the 'Block Face' (a grouping of approximately 40 to 50 dwellings).

In October 2009, I announced my intention to implement such a postcode system with a target implementation date of December 2011. This NPS will be based on the baseline design recommendation of the NPPB with the added capability of being further refined into a location-based code. It will be developed, implemented and maintained by a supplier procured by my Department which will fulfil the role of the Postcode Management Licence Holder (PMLH).

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a mobile communications company (details supplied) has imposed electronic billing on its customers with additional charges for posted bills; the steps he will take to ensure the customer is protected; if he has spoken to the regulator on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37781/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding bill collection and billing by operators, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended.

I understand that ComReg advised O2 that it has serious reservations about the decision by O2 to switch consumers to this new online billing service. Discussions between ComReg and O2 are continuing. I understand from ComReg that O2 customers are entitled to receive a paper bill as standard and that they may do so by simply contacting O2 on 1909 to request this service.

I understand that ComReg advised O2 that it has serious reservations about the decision by O2 to switch consumers to this new online billing service. Discussions between ComReg and O2 are continuing. I understand from ComReg that O2 customers are entitled to receive a paper bill as standard and that they may do so by simply contacting O2 on 1909 to request this service.