Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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323. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the cost of a telephone service in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry compared to average costs nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9051/16]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The provision of fixed line electronic communications networks connections is undertaken on a commercial basis by competing networks providers.

The Commission for Communications Regulations (ComReg), the independent market regulator, has imposed a universal service obligation (USO) on eircom Limited (trading as “eir”) to provide fixed line telephone services at geographically averaged prices across the State to ensure all users have access to standard usage charges.

Any complaint that eir is failing to comply with its USO obligation in any particular case should be addressed directly to ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its function in accordance with a requirement of section 11 of the Communications Regulations Act 2002.

I have no statutory authority to participate in ComReg’ investigation of any complaint that eir is failing to perform its USO obligation to apply standard charges across the State or in any subsequent prosecution by ComReg of any related offence.