Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Masts.

Liam Aylward

Question:

269 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current position with regard to the erection of a mast at the new Garda station in Kilmacow, County Kilkenny; and if the Garda management have accepted that the previous proposal of a 100 foot mast has been modified to a height of 50 feet to meet their requirements. [4024/98]

Phil Hogan

Question:

272 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a proposal to erect a 100 foot mast at the new Garda station at Creamery Hill, Kilmacow, County Kilkenny; his view regarding this proposal; the consultation, if any, there has been with the local community in relation to the proposal; if he will give an assurance that a decision on this matter will be deferred until full and proper consultation has taken place with the representatives of the people of Kilmacow in order that an acceptable solution can be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4057/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 272 together.

I am aware of the position concerning the Garda mast at Kilmacow and I would refer the Deputies to my reply of 12 November 1997 in which I pointed out that following the receipt of correspondence in my Department and in the Office of Public Works from the Kilmacow development group, I asked the Garda to re-examine their requirements to see if a lower mast would suffice. The Garda subsequently advised that they would accept a 50 foot mast for the time being but that it was unlikely that such a mast would meet their longer-term requirements.

With regard to the question of consultation with the local community, the Office of Public Works has advised that in accordance with Part XIII of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994, they gave notice of their intention to erect a Garda station and mast to the local authority and in the daily newspapers on 6 November 1997.

However, I understand that the Office of Public Works omitted to erect a site notice as required under the regulations and that they now propose to regularise the situation under the Planning Acts. Erection of the proposed mast will be deferred until this has been done.