Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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790. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Department that has the lead role in devising and co-ordinating Internet content policy, as recommended by the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group. [12123/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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On 21 November 2017, I convened a meeting with my colleagues the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to progress the subject of digital safety for all citizens, especially children. It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate would be the most appropriate way to progress the issue and ensure a coherent cross departmental Government approach.   

On 8 March 2018, I hosted this debate at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham which was opened by An Taoiseach. Over 120 representatives from a range of stakeholders participated, including NGOs, industry, parents' groups and young people. The event was supported by five other Ministers and organised in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality; Education and Skills; Health; Business Enterprise and Innovation; Children and Youth Affairs.

An Taoiseach announced that the Government would, by June of this year, prepare an action plan on online safety. My Department will actively contribute to the preparation of that plan, and a report on the Open Policy Debate will form one of the inputs to the plan.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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791. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding broadband speeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12143/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am acutely aware of the frustration surrounding the issue of minimum download speeds and the difficulty faced by those who are trying to establish access to high quality, high speed broadband from providers.  It is the aim of the National Broadband Plan to deliver access to this necessary service to all premises, regardless of location.

In Ireland telecommunications providers operate on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, therefore neither I as Minister, nor my Department, have any statutory powers to intervene in issues of customer service and contractual obligations such as those referred to in the question.  Issues relating to the provision of telecommunications services, including licence and contract obligations are, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant service provider to resolve. 

If, after having pursued their complaint through the service provider's complaint handling procedures, a customer is not happy, they may contact the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg) on 1890 229 668; online at or by email at Consumerline@comreg.ie, for further assistance and guidance.

Regulatory matters relating to the provision of services by operators, including any regulatory issues surrounding quality of service are the responsibility of ComReg. As the body that issues licences to telecommunications operators, ComReg will investigate such complaints to ensure that the companies in question are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.

Concerning the issue of minimum download speeds there is, at this time, no universal service obligation (USO) for high speed broadband provision or mobile voice services in Ireland.  The current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications relates solely to voice telephony and Functional Internet Access (28.8 kilobits per second) and is provided for under the current EU regulatory framework governing telecoms.  In September 2016, the European Commission published an ambitious proposal for the regulation of the European telecoms sector, which aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high speed broadband networks. Negotiations on the review of the EU regulatory framework give Ireland an opportunity to seek inclusion of a USO in respect of high speed broadband connectivity.

In that regard, I have raised the issue of a USO for high speed broadband at EU level. I am seeking inclusion of a specific provision in the new framework that would allow Member States to apply a USO for high speed broadband, where such networks are available.

The Government's National Broadband Plan will ultimately deliver a high speed broadband connection of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload to all premises in the country. This will aid in resolving the difficulties faced by those trying to operate businesses and work or study from home without reliable connection of a minimum speed.