Public Consultation: Have Your Say on Ireland’s Digital Connectivity Strategy
Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) has now opened a public consultation to discuss the merits and concerns regarding its draft strategy on digitally connecting Ireland.
Ireland’s Digital Connectivity Strategy, which is part of the wider national strategy, called ‘Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework’, which launched early February 2022. This strategy, alongside others are all part of aligning with the EU’s digital transformation goals. The EU’s vision is for member states to realise the opportunities and potential of digital technology by 2030 for people and businesses as well as help achieve climate-neutrality by 2050.
The Digital Connectivity Strategy is the next phase of enacting this larger plan after the Online Safety Bill was approved in January 2022. This plan aims to regulate online services and impede access to harmful content. Also forming part of the wider strategy is the government's investment of €5 million into rolling out a network of remote working spaces, called "Connected Hubs."
Ireland’s Digital Connectivity Strategy
The Digital Connectivity Strategy itself stands as one pillar amongst others in achieving this digital transformation of Ireland. The short, 14 page draft of the paper is available for anyone to download, share, and view on the government website (https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/d6f0e-consultation-on-the-digital-connectivity-strategy/).
“Ireland is committed to a fast-paced digital transformation. The availability of high speed, reliable digital connectivity will support the delivery of Ireland’s economic and social ambitions in the digital era and will help realize the State’s ambition to be at the forefront of European and global digital developments.”
Within the paper, there is a strong focus on how digital technology can help achieve energy efficiency, network integrity, and security. The draft also states the government intends to support and facilitate the modernization of existing networks, transitioning them to Gigabit and 5G networks with direct and indirect support.
This ambitious project looks to provide each Irish household and business with gigabit broadband by 2028. The draft also states it hopes for 5G coverage to be available in all populated areas by 2030. By 2031, the target is for these services to be joined together to serve schools and the government’s planned remote working hubs.
The plan as a whole aims to leverage existing telecommunications infrastructure and services to deliver enhanced digital connectivity. It will see 300 high-speed broadband sites established in rural and more remote locations, including some of the country’s islands. In order to achieve this, a “universal service obligation” is proposed to ensure broadband services meet a minimum standard.
Looking further afield, in order to keep Ireland connected to the wider world, the Maritime Area Planning Act (https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2021/104/) has also just been approved. This system will see further submarine cables being laid in order to maintain and enhance existing telecommunications networks between countries.
The government is calling for “detailed implementation plans” by all companies and service providers who will be involved in enacting this Digital Connectivity Strategy, such as telecoms and the National Broadband Plan.
Public consultation
The plan is expected to be reviewed every three years, but currently, the government is looking to gather the opinions, concerns, and feelings of the people and businesses of Ireland. With the pandemic forcing many of us to work, learn, and socialise remotely, the need for continued investment into the future of connectivity is, to some, obvious.
With the government fighting misinformation regarding technology such as 5G, however, the consultation gives an opportunity to address concerns that may arise.
The government is therefore asking for the public to share their views on the strategy’s draft paper. Responses can be emailed to digitalconnectivity@decc.gov.ie and should be sent before March 31, 2022.
The government itself is hopeful the plan will be met warmly by the general public. “Ireland needs digital connectivity that is characterized by excellent performance, security, and sustainability” claims Ossian Smyth, the Minister of State for Communications, “We need to leverage the latest technologies…to support Ireland’s economic prosperity and social inclusion.”
The Public Consultation Institute of Ireland (PCII) is committed to engaging citizens and empowering communities through the use of emerging technologies, which are transforming how the Government and citizens communicate and interact. PCII’s mission is to bring more people into the public participatory process. Not only will this expand informed public engagement, early studies suggest that it is likely to enhance the diversity and quality of participation. View a list of public consultations currently open at www.publicconsultation.ie