Vol. 480 No. 6
143 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will appoint a State regulator of the mobile phone industry to regulate the number of masts and to insist on co-location and the sharing of masts by two companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/97]
The construction of new masts is as the Deputy is aware subject to planning legislation with limited exemptions.
The Government is, however, committed to promoting the sharing of masts where possible. In this regard guidelines for planning authorities entitled Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures, published by the Department of the Environment in July last year, provide that planning authorities should encourage the sharing of facilities.
The recently adopted European Union Directive on Interconnection of Networks (97/33/EC) also requires member states to promote the sharing of facilities and for arbitration of disputes in relation to sharing arrangements. Regulations to give effect to the directive will be signed before the end of this year and will provide for a role for the telecommunications regulator in settling disputes.
Finally, my Department is also looking at the possibility of bringing forward proposals to provide a legislative basis for the mandatory sharing of masts and other telecommunications infrastructure.
