Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
171. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with phone and broadband providers with a view to establishing a system for information on service outages, similar to the ESB’s PowerCheck, which can be accessed by the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6353/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraService outages on Electronic Communications Networks (ECN) and Services (ECS) are primarily caused by mechanical damage (due mainly to falling trees caused by the storm force winds) and interruption to the electricity power supply. Operators of Electronic Communications Networks and Services are obliged to report incidents to the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under obligations set out in the Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Act 2023.
Repair and restoration work has returned services to all mobile customers. Most fixed service customers and the majority of fixed operator networks have been restored. Repair and restoration of fibre networks is ongoing in certain areas where the storm did significant damage.
On 14 February my colleague, Minister O'Donovan, met with CEOs and senior managers of mobile phone and broadband operators as well as representatives from Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII) to discuss the recent impact of Storm Éowyn on telecommunications infrastructure, the industry’s response and status of restoration works. The Minister also requested that operators consider implementing a system similar to similar to ESB’s PowerCheck.ie and industry committed to explore the idea and conduct feasibility work.
The Department will work with ComReg and telecommunications operators to improve our response to significant weather events and increase resilience on the networks. Minister O'Donovan has requested written proposals from operators for improving their network resilience and storm response processes.
The Department will incorporate learnings from Storm Éowyn into its plans for weather emergency preparedness and continue to engage with ComReg and operators to formalise storm response processes and the roles all organisations will play in improving resilience, restoring connectivity and interacting with the national emergency response structures.
