Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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83. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the sub-group between his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is examining the feasibility of using State and publicly owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure has reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15478/19]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 on foot of a Programme for Government commitment to identify solutions to alleviate telecommunications deficits, particularly in rural Ireland, prior to full build and roll-out of high speed broadband in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are working together, in close collaboration with key stakeholders, to deliver on the objectives of the Taskforce. 

A sub-group of the Taskforce was established in 2018 to explore the feasibility of developing a standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure. 

The Working Group met on a regular basis in 2018 and formed the view that a Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Facilitating Telecommunications Access to State and Publicly owned Assets was required in order to open up additional avenues for telecommunication providers to site and locate essential telecommunication infrastructure.  It is anticipated that a Policy Statement will be presented to Government for consideration by the end of Quarter 2 2019.