Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met with officials from communications companies (details supplied) since taking up his post and, if so, to provide details of any discussions held with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14231/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the damage caused to the Telecoms networks by Storm Éowyn, my colleague Minister O'Donovan met with senior executives of both mobile and fixed telecoms providers on 14 February, including Eir, Three and Vodafone to reflect on the lessons to be learned, and measures to be considered to build further resilience into telecommunications networks to avoid, where feasible and practicable, a reoccurrence of the same level of disruption to services.

I am advised that this was a constructive engagement and it was agreed by all that it will require a strong collaboration between public and private entities to ensure that our communication networks are strengthened to withstand the kinds of weather impacts recently experienced.

To that end, the telecoms providers have been asked to begin to identify specific areas in which both the State and private industry can work together in the short-term to improve both the resilience and recovery plans for these kinds of damaging events.

Officials in my Department are developing a longer term climate resilience plan for communication networks which will look at how all sectors of the electronic communication networks market can be better prepared for the effects of climate change.

My colleague Minister O'Donovan has also met with representatives from Virgin Media on 6 March. Topics of discussion at this meeting included an introduction to Virgin Media Ireland, an update on Virgin’s fibre roll out across Ireland and the future of Public Service Broadcasting funding. I am advised that no meetings have taken place between Minister O'Donovan and representatives from Sky since taking up his post.