Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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787. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the proposal from the European Commission Directorate General for Competition under the direction of Joaquín Almunia to have a single pan-European watchdog to replace the existing 28 national telecoms regulators, as opposed to the single European telecoms market as set out by Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda from the Directorate General of the European Commission for Communications Networks, Content and Technology; the implications this would have for the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg); the option he believes would be the better option for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37363/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am not aware of any proposal from DG Competition of the kind suggested in the Deputy’s Question. I can confirm, however, that the European Commission published a proposal last week from Commissioner Kroes for a Single Telecoms Market. While this proposal has implications for the current EU regulatory framework in the telecommunications area, it does not envisage the establishment of a single pan-European telecommunciations regulator to replace existing national regulators. These proposals will be the subject of detailed scrutiny and discussion over the coming months including consultation with ComReg and with industry and will require consideration by the Council and the European Parliament.