Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support the amendment. It is a common-sense approach. All of us in our involvement in public life and our work in local authorities have come across situations where public representatives and the public are not made aware of licence applications.

Section 254 of the 2000 Act list lists vending machines, town or landscape maps, hoarding, cables, wires, telephone kiosks or other appliances, apparatus or structures. Hidden under that is the reference to telecommunications structures. The section 254 licence was particularly popular during Covid when people had to apply for street furniture, but people were not aware you could apply for a licence to use public property - property owned by the public through the local authority - to put up telecommunications masts at no cost and not give an opportunity to the public or people living in the area. Senator Boyhan said they are beside schools and next door to houses and people have no opportunity to have a say before a licence is given. I have seen where local authority members were not even notified applications and licences were submitted, so they were not able to tell their constituents.

A common-sense approach needs to be taken. We represent the people and have to give them their say. The licence system is an underhand way for companies making vast profits to use public property to put up infrastructure. It is 100% needed so we have proper signals to our phones, but it is at no cost to the companies and with no regard for people living in the area. Masts have been put up next to schools and houses. I do not think it is acceptable. I ask the Minister of State to take the amendment on board.