Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Emergency Planning

Photo of Noel McCarthyNoel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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1329. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 8 May 2025 and No. 357 of 27 May 2025, if it is the intention of the Public Warning System to advise of potential flood related events, similar to what is currently in operation in other EU jurisdictions; if there is any requirement under the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive to introduce such a warning system nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41297/25]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In November 2023, Ireland put in place a mobile SMS-based emergency public warning system, via S.I 583 of 2023, as required under Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive. This system enables mobile phone operators to send texts to the public on behalf of the Government during an emergency.

Last year, my Department engaged the services of Analysys Mason to provide technical advice for the procurement of a cell based public warning system that will replace the current SMS system. This new system will allow for localised alerting based on network mast location. This work is currently ongoing in collaboration with the Department of Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning and it is intended that procurement of the new system will begin in 2025.

Dissemination of information during an emergency is a matter for the Lead Government Department responsible for that emergency, as set out in the Strategic Emergency Management Framework. My Department is not the Lead Government Department with respect to flooding.

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