Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the quality and coverage of the mobile telephone service throughout the country is adequate or equal to the best throughout Europe or worldwide; the degree, if any, to which deficiencies in infrastructure or operation have been identified; the best way that these can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37650/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The provision of mobile phone networks and services is undertaken by telecommunications service providers who operate in a fully liberalised market.

The regulation of telecommunications service providers, including regulatory issues surrounding mobile phone network coverage and quality, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in accordance with its functions under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended, and the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

ComReg is responsible for issuing licences to mobile phone operators and for monitoring compliance with the conditions attached to the licences. I am informed by ComReg that all of the operators have met their licence requirements in this regard and, indeed, that performance tends to exceed the minimum coverage requirements.