Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current salary paid to the Commissioner and to the Chairperson of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg); the salary for these positions in 2010 and 2011; the bonuses, or payments or benefits other than the salary, if any, that have been paid to these positions in 2010, 2011, and 2012; if he is currently considering any proposals to review the operation of the Regulator and is he in a position to share any proposals regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50669/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The pay rates for the Commissioners of the Commission for Communications Regulation is €164,464 where the appointee is making a personal pension contribution and €156,241 for an appointee who does not make a personal pension contribution. These rates are applicable from I January 2010 following reductions introduced in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No 2) Act 2009.

A contribution of €1,000 is paid in respect of each Commissioner in the form of medical insurance paid by the Commission. Commissioners are not eligible for performance related pay.

An annual payment of €16,000 is payable to the Commissioner appointed as Chairman.

The vast majority of regulatory functions vested in ComReg stem from obligations addressed to independent national regulatory authorities in EU Directives applicable to the postal and telecommunications sectors. There are no proposals to review the applicable EU rules at this time and accordingly the role of the Commission in those matters will continue.