Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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686. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the indicative time in which ComReg undertook to him to launch a website showing national mobile coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The commitment made by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) to produce a mobile phone coverage map is one of a range of actions which are set out in the Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce published last December. This Taskforce was established by myself and Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage.

The production of a mobile phone coverage map will be of great value to consumers. Aside from handset performance, consumers need to understand the extent of coverage being offered by different operators in their area. The level of coverage and quality of service received can vary from one operator to the next depending on location. This could significantly impact on the choice of provider that individuals make.

From a consumer perspective therefore, the development of a mobile phone coverage map by ComReg will be hugely important - particularly viewed in tandem with the results of the mobile handset sensitivity testing programme that ComReg is planning. For the first time, consumers will be in a position to independently assess what handset is right for their specific needs, wherever they live or work.  As indicated in the Report, the timeline envisaged for the production of such a composite map is 2018.

In order to maintain momentum, an Implementation Group is being established to drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Taskforce report. The Implementation Group will be led by my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Implementation Group will formally report every 90 days to both myself and Minister Humphreys, who will in turn jointly brief the Cabinet on progress made. The Implementation Group will carry out a fundamental review of progress made after twelve months and will also be mandated to recommend further actions that would result in an improved service for consumers.