Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Finance in regard to the mobile phone transmitters which are placed on Howth Garda station, the plans which exist to put further transmitters at this location; his views on same in view of the presence of a cluster of three transmitters at Howth yacht club which is some distance from residences, schools and so on and as a location is therefore more in line with the precautionary principle; and in further view of the fact that it is stated Government policy to encourage co-location of mobile phone transmitters, would it not be more appropriate to use this alternative location rather than one immediately surrounded by houses. [10489/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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One mobile phone company has telecommunications equipment installed on the mast at Howth Garda station under a licence agreement dating from 1997. The Commissioners of Public Works have recently issued a further licence to upgrade its equipment on this site to provide 3G services. Two other companies have applied to co-locate on the mast and their licences are being finalised.

The OPW encourages co-location where possible in line with Government policy. It is our understanding that more than one site for antennae is necessary in Howth because usage is approaching antenna capacity limits for a single location.