Vodafone and the poor box

Sir, – Vodafone got a €20,000 bill in the Dublin District Court because customers were, according to the evidence, "given the runaround", when they attempted to log complaints ("Vodafone faces €20,000 bill for giving customers the 'runaround'", News, September 14th). Half of the fine was to pay ComReg and the other half was to be paid to a charity nominated by the court.

Regulation 31 (9) (c) of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users’ Rights) Regulations stipulates that any financial penalty ordered by the High Court under that paragraph shall be paid to and retained by the regulator.

The question I would ask is, does this clause also cover district courts, and if so, should the regulator have been given the total amount? – Yours, etc,

BOBBY CARTY,

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Templeogue,

Dublin 6W.