Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. When he and his Department have high-level engagement on this matter, it is important. There was colossal public debate on this matter approximately 15 years ago when applications for masts and antennae were going in every week. That was a national debate. These days, the industry seems to go back again and again for masts and antennae in urban settings. Stadiums, Garda stations and public buildings sometimes seem to have a couple of dozen antennae on them. The colocation principle is not always adhered to. It is lucrative to put up a tower and sell space to rival companies. That approach makes a lot of money. It is less attractive to go into a rural area that is 20 km from the nearest mast and put up a mast or antenna. That is the reality in some of the west of Ireland. When the Minister meets with the sector at a high level, he might express concern. These masts invariably go through the planning process. The Department is a notifiable body in that regard. The Minister's opinion would be very helpful.