The chairman of the ESB, Mr Billy McCann, refused to comment on the company's participation in plans by Persona to complain to the European Commission about the GSM mobile phone licence competition. Persona was an unsuccessful participant in last year's tendering process.

The ESB is a member of the consortium through its subsidiary, ESB International.

The licence was awarded by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, the Department which is also responsible for the ESB.

The winner of the competition, Esat Digifone, has yet to sign the licence with the Government. Esat Digifone had been expected to sign the licence this week but is not now expected to sign it before next week at the earliest. A £15 million fee is due to the Government when the licence is signed.

A ESB company spokesman said that he could not comment for legal reasons. "The decision is a matter for the board of Persona," he said.