Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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563. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether, in view of the volume of complaints to ComReg regarding the activities of PRS providers, the regulatory framework governing telephone companies debiting the accounts of consumers for services of such third-party PRS providers is adequate; his further views on whether there should not be an opt-out provision for consumers from such premium rate services in the regulatory framework; and his views on whether in the regulatory framework, there ought not to be an obligation on telephone companies similar to credit card companies for the improper debiting of customer accounts on behalf of PRS providers. [5465/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The regulation of electronic communications services providers, including premium rate services providers, occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions.

I therefore have no statutory authority to regulate premium rate services providers.

I have, however, referred the details provided by the Deputy to ComReg. The Deputy may also wish to raise the matter directly with ComReg.