John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the restoration of all mobile phone and broadband services to locations affected by service outages following storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6811/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly it should be noted that providing telecommunication services and the repair of telecommunication networks is a matter for the relevant service providers, operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg) as independent Regulator.

As the Deputy will be aware Storm Éowyn was the worst storm in history in respect of impact on telecommunications services in Ireland.

I’m happy to advise the deputy that all mobile networks were returned to business as usual on 11 February. Repair and restoration work has returned normal services to most fixed users and the majority of fixed networks. As of 19 February, 0.11% of fixed service users remain without service in areas where the storm caused significant damage.

I wish to recognise the hard work undertaken in challenging circumstances and conditions by staff in the telecommunications industry repairing infrastructure and fibre lines.

That notwithstanding, I recognise the hardship experienced by those in the north and west of the country who continue to be affected by outages.

Operators of fixed line services have indicated that full restoration of services to all customers may continue through this week and into the next. They have mobilised all available resources to further the restoration of these services. Their work has been hampered by the complexity of the repairs required to restored damaged infrastructure. Telecommunications operators continue to engage with ComReg and report outages across their networks.

My colleague, Minister O’Donovan met last week with CEOs and senior management of Telecommunications operators to discuss the impact of the storm, the Government and operator response, and proposals from operators to improve the resilience of their networks.