Vol. 459 No. 6
50 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment the measures, if any, he is taking to stop the erection of communication masts throughout the country, which in many cases are a serious blot on the landscape and a major source of annoyance to many local communities. [18633/95]
As I indicated in the reply to Questions Nos. 27 and 61 of 7 November 1995, the erection of communications masts requires planning permission. Decisions on planning applications are a matter for the local planning authorities and, on appeal, for An Bord Pleanála and I have no power to give directions as to how such applications should be dealt with. My Department is, however, preparing guidelines in relation to these masts for the guidance of planning authorities and developers. It is intended to circulate draft guidelines before the end of the year to all interested parties, for their comments, before guidelines in final form are issued.
