Encryption, privacy, secrecy, security, no 3rd-party apps, single point of contact for problems (if only!!!!), seamless integration, NO HIDDEN CHARGES, these were all the KSPs for Apple and their iMessage service, or so I thought.
I repeat this is not an eir issue (although Apple's fixed margins on iPhone sales may be), the solution lies with Apple and how they configured the service to work in Ireland. Do French iPhone users have their iMessage encryption and point to point delivery authorised by a server in Switzerland with additional charges? I doubt it as it could lead to a ceremonial iPhone bonfire on the Champs Elysee.
I see this as an Irish consumer issue, who are being treated differently to iPhone users elsewhere