Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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519. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason permission to install a transmitter for a community CCTV scheme on a redundant Garda mast at Littleton Garda station, Littleton, County Tipperary, is held up in view of the fact that the project cannot proceed without this transmitter being in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the replacement, refurbishment and management of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I understand that in some cases, a structural analysis survey may have to be completed by the Telecommunications Section of An Garda Síochána in response to a request for access to a mast.

Structural analysis of this kind is carried out in order to ensure the relevant mast is not overloaded in advance of any installation; to verify whether remedial works would be required prior to installation; as well as analysis to ensure the proposed operating frequency of the transmitter does not affect Garda systems. 

I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application requesting access to the mast at Littleton Garda Station for a transmitter for a community CCTV scheme was received by the Telecommunications Section of An Garda Síochána from the local District Officer in Thurles.  I am further informed that a structural analysis of this kind was required in respect of the mast at Littleton Garda Station.  I further understand from the Garda authorities that this structural analysis of the mast is now complete and that access to the mast has been approved.