Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to introduce a foundation licence for amateur radio, similar to the one available in Britain which allows 10 watts on amateur bands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. I am advised by ComReg that the foundation licence for amateur radio referred to by the Deputy is unique to Britain and that it is not widely recognised outside of Britain. The amateur radio licence issued by ComReg (under Statutory Instrument No. 192 of 2009) is of an international standard that is recognised by over 40 countries.

While some national authorities have implemented some form of entry level licence, these licences have not achieved full international recognition as of yet. Furthermore, Ireland's radio amateur representative body, the Irish Radio Transmitter Society, has advised ComReg that a foundation licence or similar is not something of interest to the radio amateur community. I understand that while the matter will be continually reviewed by ComReg in light of international practices, there is no immediate plan to reduce the qualifications to facilitate a foundation type of licence.