Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the practice of automatic price increases from service providers for TV, broadband and phone services; his further views on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The pricing levels set by telecommunication services providers, including for mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for those relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with Section 11 of the 2002 Act and is directly accountable for the performance of its functions to Committees of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34(2) of the same Act.

My officials are examining the matter and will be guided by legal advice on appropriate policy options, but any proposal to legislate to prevent retail providers from offering variable priced contracts – based on the CPI – would require careful consideration.

Finally, any concerns about anti-competitive behaviours in the electronic communications sector should be directed to ComReg which is a national competition authority in Ireland.