A Donegal county councillor has called for a survey on the number of dishes erected on masts throughout Donegal.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Donal Coyle is urging the council to conduct the study as a means of ensuring telecommunications operators are compliant with Planning Regulations.
Cllr Coyle raised the motion at Monday’s council meeting and said anxieties continue to surround the structures.
“I recognise the importance of a good up to date progressive telecommunication network. It is needed in all walks of life, education and business,” Cllr Coyle said.
“My motion is to highlight the anxieties and fears that people have, especially the fear of the unknown of the number of dishes and antenna on masts throughout the county.”
“The biggest fear people have is their health and the exposure to these antennae,” Cllr Coyle said.
The council stated that the area of Telecommunications Infrastructure is highly regulated, technical and prescribed and rights of objection / observation and appeal are available to third parties where permitted.
A survey on dishes all installations, the executive said, would require a dedicated staff member and the allocation of resources and support.
Cllr Coyle suggested that a check should be carried out on a subset of masts to find out if there is full compliance on planning in the county. He added that if a subset survey is carried out in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District it should focus on the masts at Mongorry Hill in East Donegal and Murren Hill at Fanad.
In response, the Council said it remains available to respond to any concerns with regard to telecommunications masts and would ask concerned individuals to contact planningenforcement@donegalcoco.ie or contact Carol Margey and/or any of the enforcement officers on 074 91 53900.
