Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2012
137 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, workings groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies, or other quangos set up by him since February 2011; the number abolished since then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7523/12]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that two Task Forces and one Advisory Group have been established by my Department since February 2011.
I convened the Next Generation Broadband Task Force in Summer 2011 to provide a forum for detailed discussions with certain industry stakeholders on their views regarding the optimal policy required to facilitate investment in next generation broadband infrastructure in Ireland. The Task Force, which operates on a voluntary basis, is currently finalising its deliberations. I intend to consider the findings and recommendations of the report of the Task Force as quickly as possible and to make a submission to Government in this regard. It is my objective to move quickly thereafter to put in place the optimal policy environment for the delivery of high speed broadband.
I established the Oil Emergency Planning Task Force (OEPTF) in September 2011, with membership drawn from my Department, the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA) and the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA). The purpose of the OEPTF is to develop and refine existing national oil supply disruption contingency plans.
In so far as broadcasting is concerned, an Advisory Group was set up in February 2011 to address matters relating to the digital switchover which will take place in October 2012.
