Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which a public consultation on the use of direct lines and private wires will be launched; if he will provide an update on the development of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Climate Action Plan 23 includes a commitment to carry out a public consultation on Private Wires and a deadline for publication of Q4 2023 has been set. Private wires are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders. The policy area of Private Wires is broad in nature and as such detailed consideration must go into formulating the consultation in order to ensure that all aspects of the policy area are considered.

Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of Private Wires is a priority for my Department. Work on this policy area is ongoing within my Department with my officials engaging directly in recent months with interested stakeholders as part of the consultation formulation process. I intend that the consultation will be published during Q2 this year.