asked the Minister for Communications if he has had any communications with Telecom Éireann regarding the possibility of introducing time-metered charges for local telephone calls; and if he will make a statement on the Government's views on such a proposal.

While the possibility of time-metering local phone calls, in order to bring the Irish charging arrangements more into line with those generally prevailing in Europe, always arises when telephone charges are being reviewed, there are no firm proposals before me at present. The question of a Government view on such a proposal does not therefore arise.

Has the Minister had any communication from Telecom Éireann about this issue?

No. My understanding about this — I made a statement to this effect in reply to a question on the last occasion I was involved in Question Time — is that Telecom Éireann are looking at this. I have not received any official information.