Criticism as eir customers in Mayo remain without service

EIR needs to be returned to State ownership, with the company being roundly criticised for leaving customers without services weeks after Storm Éowyn.

Councillors in Mayo have a plethora of stories to tell of elderly people whose pendant security alarms don't work with lines down, leaving them isolated and creating health and safety concerns for them and their families. Remote workers have been impacted due to lack of broadband.

“Appalling” is what Councillor Adrian Forkan labelled the telecoms service when he kicked off a debate at the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District's March meeting, with broadband, poles and phones down.

The situation is at crisis point, he said, and the public are wondering why nothing is being done.

It was disgraceful the way customers are being treated, said Councillor Michael Burke in agreement. They weren't getting any service and yet money is being taken out of their accounts.

Staff on the ground were doing their best but they were light on numbers and they aren't getting the extra help they need.

The most vulnerable of people aren't able to make contacts and he warned that someone is going to lose a life over this.

Some people have been told it could be Easter at the earliest before their service is restored, Councillor Gerry Murray informed the meeting. “It is a major crisis situation,” he stated.

There has been no investment in infrastructure since the service was privatised, he added, and he understood eir were looking for another buyer to try and flip it as massive investment is needed.

Councillor Murray said the State should contemplate taking it back into ownership and he called on the government to renationalise eir.

The lack of urgency for customers was a source of annoyance for Councillor John Caulfield, who said people are being denied their alarms, which are a lifeline.

Councillor Neil Cruise felt it's time to start looking at new technologies and wireless communications.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien felt the issue has now gone to national level and it's time for the minister to intervene.

It's time for government to consider taking back critical infrastructure, said Councillor Damian Ryan, cathaoirleach. And he also called for the abolition of the communications regulator, saying the office isn't working and is not fit for purpose.