Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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1027. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been contacted by his EU colleagues with regard to the use of 5G technology by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12987/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Communications, I meet with my EU colleagues on a variety of issues and in a variety of fora, as appropriate. While I have not been contacted by those colleagues regarding the matter to which the Deputy refers, I am cognisant of media coverage and developments in recent months in relation to security concerns and non-European suppliers of telecommunications equipment.

At a domestic level, it should be noted that there are statutory provisions to ensure that operators of networks and services in Ireland take appropriate measures to manage risks to the security of their networks and services, and to guarantee their integrity. These requirements are set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 333 of 2011). The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is responsible for ensuring compliance with these provisions, and ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions (as provided for in Section 11 of the Communications Regulations Act 2002).

At a European level, I understand that the European Commission is preparing a recommendation on the security of 5G networks. Ireland will engage with fellow Member States and the EU institutions in discussing that recommendation once published, and in progressing any related actions. EU initiatives which impact across various sectors and areas of ministerial responsibility at national level will be assessed across Government, as appropriate.