Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1329 of 29 July 2025; for an update on the procurement of a cell-based public warning system for use during emergencies; the engagement his Department has had to date with the Department of Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51827/25]

Patrick 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 an Analysys Mason led advisory team to provide technical advice for the procurement of a cell broadcast public warning system that will replace the current SMS system. This new system will allow for localised alerting based on network mast location and is not impacted by network capacity, congestion or SMS character limits. Pending Government decision, it is intended that procurement of the new system will begin in 2025.

Officials in my Department regularly engage with the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence regarding the public warning system, among other matters.