Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Communications.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

399 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will investigate other communication systems which do not require the use of masts; if his Department will encourage Esat Digifone and Telecom to do likewise in view of the agreement to share masts at Garda stations; if his Department will take into account the public demand to prevent new masts from being erected and masts already erected from being shared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/98]

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

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, for the purpose of maintaining contact with operational gardaí on the beat or in patrol cars, a radio based communications system must be used. Where radio signals have to be transmitted over a wide area, it is necessary to elevate the transmitter by using masts, hilltop sites or high buildings. Satellite technology is not, and will not in the foreseeable future, be suitable for Garda communication requirements.

My Department has no function in relation to the activities of commercial operators such as Esat Digifone or Telecom Éireann. This is a matter for the Department of Public Enterprise and the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation which licenses them and has overall responsibility for the provision of mobile telephony services on a nationwide basis. I would also point out that An Garda Síochána has no arrangement with Telecom Éireann which allows them access to Garda masts or sites. In so far as the erection of new masts is concerned, the decision of the previous Government to allow Esat Digifone access to Garda sites was borne out of a desire, among other things, to avoid a proliferation of such masts and to promote the sharing of masts by different operators, as recommended in the Department of the Environment and Local Government guidelines for planning authorities concerning telecommunications antennae and support structures. In so far as future developments of this sort are concerned, any decision reached would take full account of public concern.