Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1290. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views as to whether the UK leaving the EU will have implications for mobile phone users along the Border when it comes to roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35474/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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EU Roam Like at Home took effect by way of EU Regulation on 15 June 2017 and is now in force EU-wide.  That includes in Northern Ireland as part of the UK. Therefore, until the UK leaves the European Union, this EU law has full effect in the UK, including Northern Ireland.

It is not yet possible to say what impact Brexit will have on cross-border roaming charges once the UK formally leaves the Union. That will be largely dependent on the future relationship between the EU and UK, which is a discussion that will follow the current negotiation phase of the Exit Deal.

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.

My officials and I take every opportunity to discuss the potential impacts of Brexit with our EU and UK colleagues, including with the European Commission Article 50 Task Force.