A new system to allow authorities to alert members of the public about potential dangers or emergencies should be considered and could help save lives according to Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has published a report exploring the issue and say that the new system is practical and can use existing telecoms technology in an effective way.
The system would allow alert text messages be sent to mobile phone users in specific geographical areas about extreme weather, natural disasters or unpredictable events.
The Committee has said in light of recent flooding in Cork and other areas such a system is needed to alert people to possible dangers.
Already a similar system is in place in Australia and the US.
Mr Coveney said the system should be free to members of the public. He said the service should not be one to which people subscribe, but simply be a public information system which could be put in place using existing network providers.
