Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the mobile phone and broadband task force plans to deal with the impact that Brexit will have on coverage and roaming charges for persons in border communities. [13886/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland, including in border communities, where mobile networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established this Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits in this jurisdiction. To that end the recommendations of the Taskforce that were published in December, irrespective of Brexit, will assist in improving the quality of service and coverage that all customers, including those in border communities, will receive.

In order to maintain momentum, I, together with my colleague Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group, which met for the first time on 8 March. This group will drive and monitor the implementation of the actions in the Task Force report, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery of actions. This group will formally report every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report in April, following the end of this quarter.

In relation to roaming, the EU Roaming Regulations aim to abolish retail roaming charges within the EU on 15 June 2017, subject to Fair Use Policy. At that point in time, the UK will still be a member of the EU and will thus be required to abide by EU law in place at that time.

It is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross border roaming charges. This will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK. The UK Government White Paper on Brexit sets out that the UK wishes to ensure that the UK telecoms companies can continue to trade as freely and competitively as possible with the EU. I can assure the Deputy however that my Department will continue to engage with the key stakeholders on this matter both domestically and at EU level.