Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any urgent actions that have been taken with internet providers to repair and reinstate services to customers. [Priority Written]
Minister for the Economy: Telecommunications is the responsibility of the British Government, with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) holding policy responsibility.
The restoration of connections on the telecommunications network is being led by the private-sector telecoms companies. The Department for the Economy has no contractual relationship with any telecoms company apart from Fibrus Networks. My officials have, however, been working closely with DSIT’s Electronic Communications Resilience and Response Group (EC-RRG) and with the Civil Contingencies Division in the Executive Office, which have been engaging with the telecom companies regarding restoration of the networks. The telecoms companies are working closely with NIE, and services are being restored, where it is safe to do so.
My officials will participate in a post incident review of Storm Éowyn, led by DSIT, which is scheduled to take place next week, and will assess the impacts, lessons learned and future actions for the telecommunications industry and other stakeholders.
ENDS
Your MLA 