Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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849. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide information on the formation of a task force or oversight committee to monitor mobile phone coverage in rural Ireland; when this will come into operation; the persons and bodies that will provide the membership of this task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26590/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to consider immediate measures to address telecommunications deficits in rural Ireland. The Taskforce, which I co-chair with my colleague, Minister Humphreys, was established in July.  The Taskforce has established four sub-groups to examine various aspects of mobile phone and broadband coverage and there have been at least six meetings since July.  The Taskforce is making good progress in identifying practical actions that can be taken in the short-term to improve mobile phone and broadband access in Ireland.  The Taskforce will work with Government Departments, Local Authorities, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), State Agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The membership of the group includes:

the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment;

the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs;

the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government;

the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport;

the Office of Public Works;

NewERA;

Transport Infrastructure Ireland;

Teagasc;

Trinity College CTVR (Telecommunications Research Centre);

The County and City Management Association (CCMA);

Irish Rural Link;

the Irish Country Women's Association;

Businesses based in rural Ireland;

the National Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and

an Independent Planning Adviser.

ComReg is participating on the Taskforce as an observer in order to provide advice and guidance in its capacity as the independent regulator of the telecommunications market.

The work of the Taskforce will also assist Local Authorities in preparing for the rollout of the new NBP network once contract(s) are in place. I expect that Minister Humphreys and I will bring proposals to Government by the end of 2016, on foot of the Taskforce's report.