Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to locate the Loran C mast on Loop Head or any other Irish location; the cost of purchasing the mast; the legal costs associated with the project; the cost of purchasing and leasing land at Loop Head; the amount of land involved; the costs of storage of the mast, giving a breakdown of the storage costs over the past five years as well as its location; and if there is any proposal to dispose of the mast. [31701/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Loran C mast will not be erected on Loop Head or any other Irish location. Ireland, along with Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, has denounced the North West Europe and North Atlantic Loran C System — NELS — Agreement. Denunciation takes legal effect from 31 December 2005.

The mast, consisting of the antenna and transmitter, cost €1.9 million and was purchased by France and the Netherlands as per the international agreement. The legal costs associated with the project amounted to €561,000, which includes legal fees for the planning appeal. The land at Loop Head, totalling 137 acres, was purchased for €479,000. Lease of the land for grazing rights has generated €13,530 in revenue over the past three years. Cost of storage for the mast amounted to €326,000. The mast was stored at Pacy-Sur-Eure, near Paris, France. A breakdown of the storage costs over the past five years is as follows:

Ownership of the mast was transferred to France in April this year, with the agreement of the Netherlands. Ownership of the site remains with Ireland.