EU not to delay telephone contract

THE contract for the second GSM licence will be formally awarded to Esat Digifone early next week, the Minister for Communications, Mr Lowry, has stated.

Mr Lowry, who on Tuesday met the EU Competition Commissioner, Mr Karel van Miert, said yesterday that the commissioner had made clear that he would not attempt to delay the awarding of the licence.

The complaint about the process by Persona would be considered on Fits merits, Mr van Miert told Mr Lowry.

Mr Lowry said that he had been asked to clarify two issues - the extent to which Esat Digifone had already engaged in its implementation programme, and the confidentiality provisions in the tendering process.

Persona welcomed the confirmation that the EU "is continuing its investigation of our complaint".

Briefings on the licence award process are to be held at the Department on Tuesday and Wednesday next. Persona's chairman, Mr Tony Boyle, commented yesterday: "We are left with the question, which may be resolved on Wednesday, if the Minister had granted disclosure, which we were properly entitled to, when we originally requested it, could the last six months of unrelenting controversy have been avoided".