Sir, - May I ask what measures the Government will introduce to effectively bring about competition in the provision of cross-frontier/channel television relay services, in view of the present revelations and disclosures?
Could I suggest, as an initial step, that in the proposed disposition of Cablelink, which was announced recently by the Department of Public Enterprise, action is taken to ensure that MMD's and cable relay services are sold to separate and independent operators, so as to immediately introduce competition. This would be reflected at once in the Dublin, Waterford and Galway regions in the introduction of cross competition between MMD's and Cable services. Consider all the advantages that this would bring to the consumer in service improvement and charge reduction.
May I also ask, what is the attitude of the Irish Competition Authority and the European Competition Directorate in Brussels to the recent revelations about the MMD's and Cable licensing regimes, as operated by the Irish authorities, and if they intend to carry out any investigations. - Yours, etc., John Gallagher,
Eskragh,
Tubbercurry,
Co Sligo.