Dr. Stjohn O'Connor:

The task force was originally created in 2016. The implementation group spent three years implementing the first task force report and identifying new actions. That work concluded in the first quarter of this year. We then got hit with everything that has gone on, including the election and formation of the new Government and so on. It is certainly not the intention of either Department for the task force to be in abeyance. However, as I alluded to in my opening address, at this point in time the low-hanging fruit or easy fixes have been addressed. The Chairman referred to the work of the task force and what it has achieved and I have spoken about maps and repeaters. All of that emerged out of the work of the task force. The relationship with the industry is extremely strong on foot of the task force and it would like to see the task force maintained, as would both Departments. We just need to fix on the best use of the task force and what it could be put to bear on, such as bigger ticket items. The matter of 5G was referred to earlier and that is certainly something that could be considered by the task force. It needs to change and shift because by and large, those low-hanging fruit and all the issues the Chairman noted, which were impeding the ordinary operation of the networks, have been addressed. The task force needs to find a new identity. I am hopeful that proposals will be put in front of the Government very shortly.