Telecommunications Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2017

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Ceisteanna (72)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the planning permissions for communication masts on sites need to be regularised to comply with planning regulations in instances in which a Garda station has been closed; the number of Garda communication masts that have been decommissioned and disposed of; if costs have been incurred as part of the decommissioning; if so, the details of the costs by station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42494/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran)

Under the terms of the licences granted by the Commissioners of Public Works, OPW, to third parties in relation to the installation of telecommunications equipment on the masts at Garda Stations, compliance with planning is the responsibility of the Licensee. Of the 139 Garda Stations closed in recent years, 17 of the associated telecommunications masts were licensed to third parties, including ten sites to Tetra Ireland Limited for the provision of digital radio services. Tetra Ireland Ltd provides the national system for emergency services communications, of which An Gárda Síochána, AGS, is a primary user.

Decommissioning of telecommunications equipment is a matter for the owner of the equipment, whether it be AGS or mobile phone operators. The OPW is then responsible for the removal of the mast and one such mast has been removed at Cloghane, County Kerry, at a cost of €5,551.

The planning status of masts at the remaining stations will be reviewed when the ongoing review of closed Garda Stations is complete.