Written answers
Thursday, 20 November 2025
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the work his Department is doing to improve communication infrastructure, and in particular to improve access to communication services during and after strong storms; if he will provide an update on the work his Department has carried out since the publication on the review of Storm Éowyn in October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64220/25]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcome of discussions he has had with ComReg and with telecommunications companies in relation to the need to strengthen the telecoms network following storms in recent years and the loss of services for customers, in many instances over a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64200/25]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 48 together.
Mobile and fixed broadband networks are key infrastructures enabling many aspects of modern life; connecting families and friends, allowing people to work from home and making it easier for businesses to reap the benefits of the digital economy. The State’s commitment to transforming our telecoms infrastructure is exemplified by the Government’s target to deliver 100% Gigabit fibre connectivity to every premises in the State by 2028.
Nonetheless, the extent of service outages experienced in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn last January placed renewed focus on how resilient our telecommunication networks and emergency response systems are. The effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecommunications sector was the largest in the Commission for Communication Regulation - ComReg’s - recording history. Widespread loss of power and damage to infrastructure during Storm Éowyn on 24 January 2025 triggered a sharp and unprecedented disruption to our fixed and mobile connectivity, with the worst impacted areas located in the North and West of the country.
Since mid-February, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, when I first convened a meeting with telecommunication network operators to begin a review of what went wrong and what needs to be done to ensure we do not experience the same kinds of services outages again, my officials and I have been in regular contact with the telecoms industry.
I have also had meetings with ComReg on the issue of network resilience. ComReg, which is statutorily independent of my Department, has set out the actions it is taking regarding severe weather events. That information is publicly available at its website.
Separately, ComReg has also published a severe weather preparation guide for consumers on its website at comreg.ie/severeweather which provides useful guidance on steps consumers can take to reduce the impact of storms before, during and after they occur. This is useful guidance which I would recommend everyone familiarise themselves with.
Through a newly formed Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group, chaired by my Department, the sector will work together to:
- improve the physical and power resilience of networks
- coordinate and communicate more effectively during emergencies
- prioritise key infrastructure to provide minimum levels of connectivity during emergencies
My Department is developing a Communications Services Emergency Plan, which will incorporate learnings from Storm Éowyn. This includes internal structures such as the creation of a Communications Emergency Coordination Team within the Department to provide surge staffing and a coordinated response to any future national emergency impacting telecommunications.
A key list of key mobile network sites – which would provide a minimal level of communication across rural areas - has been developed for prioritisation of both preparatory and response resources. It is anticipated that this priority list will allow for more targeted allocation of both preparatory and response efforts by all stakeholders, including local authorities and other State entities. Ensuring that a base layer of communication can maintained, or quickly restored, in times of emergency is a key focus for my Department.
The advent of Storm Amy on 3 October 2025 presented an early test of the developing emergency response structures. The coordination structures that have already been put in place ensured that mobile operators were able to quickly resolve issues that involved engagement with State authorities. The storm also tested internal structures allowing the Department to further refine its new processes.
Last week also saw the Government approve and publish of a range of sectoral adaptation plans in line with the National Adaptation Framework. This included a Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication Networks. This was a key milestone in ensuring that Ireland’s telecommunication networks will be fit for our future climate challenges.
The new Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication Networks builds on strong collaboration between the Department, the regulator and industry partners, recognising that no single actor can achieve our goals alone and that a collective response is required.
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