Vol. 472 No. 1
229 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will give details of an alleged agreement between ESAT Digifone and the Garda Síochána in relation to the erection of telecommunications antennae and support structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22547/96]
231 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the recent decision approved by her to locate ESAT Digifone equipment on Garda masts is in conflict with the guidelines issued by the Department of Environment in July 1996; if she will bring this matter to the attention of the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22621/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 231 together. The position in relation to this matter is as follows. The Garda authorities have been approached by ESAT Digifone with a proposal to share Garda ratio masts in the context of ESAT's planned mobile telephone network. The Garda consider that the arrangements proposed by ESAT is technically feasible and would offer significant benefits to them.
The Departments of Finance, the Environment and Transport, Energy and Communications, and the office of Public Works were consulted and had no objection in principle to ESAT sharing Garda radio masts. Approval in principle was, therefore, given to the Garda Commissioner to enter discussions with ESAT on the basis that a definitive decision to enter such an arrangement would be taken only if it could be established that it would represent value to the State and would not impair Garda communications or security. As yet, no final agreement has been reached or contract made.
Discussions with ESAT are ongoing and the various Government Departments involved are being kept informed of progress. A condition of any agreement with ESAT would be that their use of any Garda site would be subject to their complying fully with planning legislation.
The Garda authorities are aware of the Department of the Environment guidelines on telecommunications antennae and support structures, and are satisfied that the proposals being considered by them do not conflict with these guidelines.
