Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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In my role as Minister with responsibility for planning, I have no function in relation to the health and safety of telecommunications masts. The Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines (1996) which were published by my Department, advise that planning authorities should not include monitoring arrangements as part of planning permission conditions nor determine planning applications on health grounds. This was restated through Circular PL7/2012.

This Circular Letter reiterates that planning authorities are primarily concerned with the appropriate location and design of telecommunications structures and do not have competence for health and safety matters in respect of telecommunications infrastructure. These are regulated by other codes under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and such matters should not be additionally regulated by the planning process.

The granting of licenses for communication masts on public roads is dealt with in Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. This will be replaced by Section 10 of the draft Planning and Development Bill, once enacted. The provisions in relation to an appeal of licenses granted under Section 10 of the draft Bill are being further examined as part of the preparation of the final Bill.