Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
108. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the benefits of the new national Cell Broadcast Public Warning System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland enacted an SMS-based emergency public warning regulation via S.I 583 of 2023 allowing me, as Minister, to direct operators to transmit a public warning to users of their services via SMS in the event of a major emergency or disaster.
Whilst this regulation meets the needs of Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive, which requires all EU Member States to operate a nationwide public warning system, the effectiveness of distributing public warning via SMS is impacted by network capacity, congestion and SMS character limits.
Given the increasing number of severe weather emergencies being experienced in Ireland, as well as other potential risks it is necessary for Government to establish an effective public warning system.
Government has recently approved procurement of a cell broadcast public warning system for transmitting public warning messages. Cell broadcast is an effective technology for distributing public warning messages and utilised in many other jurisdictions.
Cell broadcast public warning system messages are not impacted by the same issues as SMS and can be sent to mobile phone users in a specific geographic area. Messages are received by all handsets in the area regardless of operator, and can be configured to override lock screen, volume and do not disturb settings to ensure they is received by the user.
The system will become part of existing emergency communications structures, and, in the appropriate circumstances, will be another channel to provide information to the public among those already existing, such as social media, TV and radio.
