Sorca Clarke
Question:86. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the progress of the public warning system. [25901/24]
View answerTuesday, 18 June 2024
Questions (86)
Written answers
In November 2023, Ireland put in place a mobile phone-based emergency public warning text system, as required under Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive. The Public Warning System (PWS) enables mobile phone operators to send texts to the public, on behalf of the Government, giving information on developments in the event of a major emergency or disaster.
The PWS will be activated only in the most exceptional of circumstances, where there is a major emergency or disaster which poses a significant and imminent threat to human life. The system becomes part of the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) structures that are already in place. In the appropriate circumstances it will be another channel, among the existing channels such as social media, TV and radio, to provide information to the public.
In the longer term, the Government’s intention is to establish a cell broadcast system, similar to that used in some other European member states, for transmitting public warning messages. My Department has published a Call for Tender relating to the procurement of the necessary advisory services to support the implementation of a national Cell Broadcast Public Warning System, details of which are available on gov.ie at www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=3462824. It is anticipated that the new system will be operational in December 2025, subject to procurement timelines.