Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
24. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 2 October 2025, to provide an update on the procurement of a cell based public warning system for use during public emergencies, such as in times of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31762/26]
View answerIn 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. Whilst this system meets the needs of the Directive, the effectiveness of distributing public warning via SMS is impacted by network capacity, congestion and SMS character limits.
Government intends to establish a cell broadcast public warning system (CB-PWS) for transmitting public warning messages. Cell broadcast is an effective technology for distributing public warning messages and it utilised in many other jurisdictions. CB-PWS messages are not impacted by the same issues as SMS and can be sent to mobile phone users in a specific geographic area.
An advisory service was procured in Q3 2024 which has enabled my Department to develop technical specifications and recommendations in relation to this project.
My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Defence and Office of Emergency Planning to identify the Government entity which will be operationally responsible for the CB-PWS. Designation of this entity by Government is necessary to advance to procurement of the system, and in that regard I expect to bring a memorandum to Government shortly. I expect procurement of the CB-PWS to begin this year.
The CB-PWS will become part of existing emergency communications structures that are already in place and, in the appropriate circumstances, it will be another channel to provide information to the public among those already existing, such as social media, TV and radio.
