Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's interest in the task force and the fact it should be reconvened because we worked together on it when it was first established and we achieved much. That task force addressed 70 actions between 2016 and 2019. These spanned a mix of practical and policy approaches that have removed significant barriers to the deployment of telecoms services in the State. The previous task force clearly delivered real benefits and impact. There is now more information available to consumers to help them to choose the right service to meet their needs. More people have access to reliable, high-speed broadband than ever before and throughout the country mobile phone coverage has improved dramatically.

Building on this changed context, the new task force will concentrate on a number of strategically important and complex issues and will leverage the proactive, practical and co-operative approach taken by its predecessor. We will make use of the expertise and resources available to us to build on past successes. It is intended to convene a meeting of the new task force at the earliest possible date. Together with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, I have written to the key stakeholders who will make up the new task force in order to arrange an initial meeting. To ensure that the new task force has clear momentum from the start, I have also asked the stakeholders to consider a number of strategically important thematic areas that will underpin a detailed work programme. Building on the successful collaborative model of the previous task force, this work programme will be finalised on foot of this consultation. It is intended that the new task force's work programme will include actions to address issues such as outdoor mobile coverage, planning and licensing issues, asset mapping and access to infrastructure. I look forward to convening the first meeting of the new task force shortly.

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