Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Finance the situation regarding a mobile phone mast at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1373/07]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for Finance the consultation involved in relation to a telecommunications mast currently outside a Garda station (details supplied) in County Dublin; if planning permission was acquired for this mast; the duration of the contract; the person it was entered into with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3077/07]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 503 together.

The Commissioners of Public Works have granted 10 year licences to the four mobile phone operators, licensed by ComReg to provide mobile telephony services in Ireland, to install telecommunications equipment on the mast at the Garda Station referred to. For structural reasons it was necessary to replace the original mast with a new mast and I understand the replacement mast has been erected under the exempted development provisions contained in Class 31, Park 1 of Schedule 2 of Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The Garda telecommunications equipment has also been relocated to the new mast and the original mast has been removed from the site.

Under the terms of their licence agreement with the Commissioners, the mobile phone operators are obliged to install and operate all equipment within current standards and E.U. regulations and adhere to the guidelines on exposure limits to emissions, issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, (ICNIRP). In addition, the Commissioners' Consultants monitor all such developments on behalf of the Commissioners to ensure compliance with the regulations is achieved from the outset and is continuous during the term of the licence agreement.