Ireland's telecommunications market will be fully liberalised by December 1st next, 13 months ahead of schedule. The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, yesterday formally signed the regulations that will end Ireland's derogation on the liberalisation of the telecommunications network.

The Minister has also announced the establishment of a telecommunications advisory committee, to include senior industry experts from the US and Ireland. It will work with the Department of Public Enterprise to develop a strategy for the future development of the sector.

"This decision to end our derogation will send a signal to the marketplace that Ireland is a good location for investment in telecommunications and will ensure that a suitable competitive telecommunications infrastructure with global connectivity can be provided as soon as practicable."

Ms O'Rourke said the decision to introduce full competition earlier than expected followed consultation with a range of interested parties. "It became clear to me that it was in the national interest that full competition be introduced in the sector as soon as possible."

The Minister has also pledged to bring forward proposals for primary legislation dealing with regulatory issues, infrastructural development within the sector and the privatisation of Telecom Eireann, before December 1st.

The advisory committee will be chaired by LCI International chairman and chief executive officer, Mr Brian Thomson. He is a member of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board.

Its task will be to assist the Department in overseeing the development and implementation of a strategy for telecommunications, with particular emphasis on the development of Ireland as a global telecommunications and Internet hub. "This will further support the development of Ireland as a centre for the information and communications technologies sector and electronic commerce," the Minister stated.

Under the derogation agreed with the European Commission in 1996, Ireland was to end Telecom Eireann's monopoly on January 1st, 2000. The derogation was intended to allow Telecom to adjust to the operation of competitive markets. Ms O'Rourke said that, with the help of its strategic partners, KPN and Telia, Telecom was in a much stronger position today, both financially and operationally, to meet the challenge of full competition.