Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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218. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the interactions with telecoms companies and other related agencies with regard to eliminating spam calls and texts to phone users in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39176/22]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Following engagement with telecommunication industry leaders late last year to address the ongoing problem of nuisance communications, an industry-led taskforce, facilitated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has been established to identify and recommend practical interventions that might be taken by operators in the short, medium and long-term to combat nuisance communications. As with much fraudulent activity a multi-faceted approach is required.  This particular Taskforce is focussed on telecoms and will seek to address the matter of nuisance communications from a telecoms network operator / service provider perspective.  Details are available on ComReg’s website at www.comreg.ie (ComReg Information Note 21/129).

The investigation of fraudulent activity by criminals that might be carried out over telecoms networks is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the advice to the public remains focussed on the importance of being vigilant. 

Several state bodies and agencies including the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection and other sectors, such as financial institutions and indeed the mobile network operators have run public awareness raising campaigns to warn consumers about smishing and vishing and the need to remain continually on the alert in accessing and reviewing suspicious messages.

The National Cyber Security Centre additionally publishes comprehensive advisories and alerts on scams, attacks or vulnerabilities and ComReg has also published a consumer information notice on its website, which provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls.