A local county councillor has called on the Government to take immediate action to ensure that roaming charges are not re-introduced in Ireland after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Currently, roaming charges are due to be abolished throughout the EU in June this year.
But Brexit will mean that the charges will still apply when visiting the six counties.
Speaking today Cllr Gary Doherty said that after a long and arduous battle with the mobile phone providers, roaming charges in the European Union are due to be abolished in June this year.
He said this represents a significant victory for consumers against the exorbitant rates being charged by companies for using our mobile phones while abroad.
“However, the spectre of Brexit looms large and we are now faced with the very real and likely possibility that roaming charges on the island of Ireland may not now be abolished. I would call on the Irish Government to engage with the mobile phone providers to ensure that this retrograde step does not materialise.
“Mobile phone roaming charges within the island of Ireland do not make sense either from a practical or economic viewpoint. Their re-introduction would have a debilitating effect on business while also adversely affecting those of us who live along the border.
“We cannot sit back and allow the situation to arise where Irish citizens can use their phones free from roaming charges in the far-Eastern limits of the European Union yet be subjected to these charges simply by traversing the border between Donegal and Tyrone.”
Tags: