Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
522. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to the key findings and recommendations in a report (details supplied) concerning the urgent need to improve broadband telecommunications infrastructure and mobile telephony in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/19]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy provides a list of recommendations to help County Councils set targets and deliverables and shape the National Broadband Plan to the needs of their communities. The report makes 20 recommendations for the five County Council areas within the cross-Border partnership (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo).
The subject matter of the report and its recommendations are also of relevance to the ongoing work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, which involves a wide range of stakeholders including all local authorities. Through the work of the Taskforce, my Department, in tandem with the Department of Rural and Community Development, works closely with the Broadband Officers in all local authorities, including the five local authorities within the cross-Border partnership, to progress a suite of actions aimed at improving mobile phone and broadband coverage.
