Telecommunications Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Questions (47)

Thomas Gould

Question:

47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for clarity on whether legislation or guidance exists requiring telephone boxes in city areas. [40019/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.

The provision of public payphones was previously subject to a Universal Service Obligation (USO) under the Universal Services Regulation (S.I. No 337 of 2011). However, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) removed the USO for payphones from 1 Jan 2021.

Following the end of the USO, this is now a matter for the company who owns the telephone box or its agent.