Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he intends rolling out a programme similar to the national broadband scheme to ensure effective 100% good-quality coverage of mobile broadband and phone services throughout the State in view of the large areas that are still without a service, particularly in hill areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2090/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.

ComReg is currently completing a Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four key Spectrum bands to enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services.  This award will represent a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland and will include significant coverage obligations for the winning bidders.   In addition, the Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce continues to implement actions specifically designed to  remove barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout.

ComReg is continually updating and enhancing its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: coveragemap.comreg.ie/map) to provide clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage. In 2022, ComReg updated this map to include 5G data. This information can assist customers when considering moving to or visiting a particular area and in highlighting blackspots that need to be addressed.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 8 December 2022, if he will consider amending the legislation governing section 254: licensing for telecommunications infrastructure, to ensure such applications go through the standard planning process, thereby facilitating public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As noted in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s response to PQ No. 233 of 8 December 2022, the current system for licensing for telecommunications infrastructure sits under S.254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Telecoms Exemptions

My Department has worked with the CCMA, LGMA, RMO and all Local Authorities to facilitate the rollout of the National Broadband Plan, and has had good engagement from all parties in that regard.

In 2021, there were discussions between my Department and the Department of Housing regarding S.254 licences and their application for telecommunications infrastructure. This lead to an amendment of the Planning and Development Act 2000 by the Department of Housing, with Circular PL 07/2021 published on gov.ie on 18 August 2021 which provided clarification on planning exemptions applicable to certain telecommunications works. This amendment changed the parameters for fees for S.254 licences for telecoms infrastructure, to a flat fee instead of per length of cable.

My Department engages with all Local Authorities on a regional basis to examine any mechanisms which could assist with the rollout of the NBP. The licensing process is part of those discussions but, at present, there are no plans to amend the existing legislation.