Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he has taken to prevent scams and fraud being perpetrated by the providers of regulated premium text services; if he has had any discussion with the Regulator, ComReg in relation to this matter; and if so, the result of these discussion; if he will bring in amending legislation to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The primary purpose of Part 2 of the Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Act 2010 is to ensure the more effective regulation of the premium rate sector in the interest of consumer protection, including the prevention of scams and fraud by the providers of regulated premium text services.

Under the provisions of that Act, ComReg shall make regulations specifying the classes or types of premium rate services (PRS) that require to be licensed, the terms and conditions that may be attached to a licence and the information that premium rate service providers shall provide to ComReg upon request. The Act also provides that ComReg will, in consultation with the industry and other interested parties, prepare and publish a code of practice to be followed by premium rate service providers. Compliance with the code of practice is a condition of a licence.

The Act also provides ComReg with adequate and effective enforcement powers to ensure that these conditions are met. It provides the necessary investigation powers for ComReg to ensure that the conditions of a licence are being complied with. ComReg has the power to revoke, amend or suspend a PRS licence (with immediate effect if necessary) where it finds the holder has failed to comply with a licence condition.

I am fully satisfied that ComReg has all the statutory powers necessary to protect the interests of PRS users.