Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I could not find the actual section from which I was reading earlier. As I read it, a telecommunications company would not be able to get compensation if something goes wrong on an NRA national primary route if permission had been granted prior to this by a local authority. Perhaps the Minister will clarify because there are instances where, for example, in my constituency, Eircom got permission from the local authority to go under the national primary route. In that instance it was the local authority that gave permission. If something is done by the NRA at some future date, does that mean the telecommunications company does not get any compensation?

The other point, which I raised previously, is that I would be concerned that the NRA can have a representative present. I doubt if the NRA will be able to react quickly if there is a road opening or whatever and works have to be done. However, the area engineer working for the NRA or representing the NRA could be present and it would, at least, speed up that particular element in the whole process. Can an area engineer working for a local authority be classified as a representative of the authority who gives the permission? If that were so it would make things a little more streamlined.

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