Fears 'vital' communication bill may fail

A major new piece of legislation aimed at liberalising the telecommunications industry may not be passed because of the general election.

The Communications Regulation Bill, which comes before the Dáil today, has little chance of being finalised before the May poll.

ICT Ireland, which represents the high-tech sector, will lobby the various political parties and whips in an attempt to have the bill included in the Dáil calendar for this session.

ICT Ireland Director Brendan Butler said the bill must become law in order to save jobs.