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Broadband Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Questions (2039)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

2039. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the terms of reference for the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce; the matters discussed at the first meeting of the Taskforce; when the Taskforce is expected to report its findings to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63514/21]

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Written answers

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established on 15 December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD. This first meeting allowed for Minister of State Smyth and I to set out our priorities for the coming period, which include improving mobile phone coverage in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licencing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.

Following presentations on the policy context from senior officials from both my department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, a roundtable discussion was held and Taskforce members were invited to set out the actions that each believe are necessary to improve telecommunications services in the state in the short, medium and long term. 

On foot of that discussion, a series of bilateral meetings will now take place between senior officials of both departments and each of the Taskforce members to refine the specific actions for inclusion in the work programme, the stakeholders that will work on each action, the deliverables expected and the timelines to completion. 

Building on this bilateral engagement, officials will table draft terms of reference as well as a proposed work programme for approval at the next meeting of the Taskforce. Future meetings of the Taskforce, chaired by Minister of State Smyth and I, will convene two to three times a year. At those meetings progress reports will be presented to ensure that momentum and progress is maintained. 

 

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