Row erupts over phone mast 'deal'
By Tom ShielA NEW twist in the ongoing saga of bitter opposition by local communities to mobile telephone masts emerged this week when it was revealed for the first time that Mayo County Council has struck a deal with Esat Digifone to erect antennae at three locations around the county. The local authority has agreed in principle with Esat Digifone to allow phone masts on their water towers at Knockanillaun, Ballina; Brookhill, Claremorris and Shrule on the Mayo/Galway border. Although Mayo County Council will benefit financially from the arrangement, the deal has been unreservedly condemned by some of the local communities involved who believe there may be health risks attached to the antennae. At Knockanillaun, between Ballina and Crossmolina yesterday (Tue), local residents gathered at the entrance to the water tower and expressed fears about the advisability of placing the antennae on a water tower which supplies a large area and is adjacent to a National School which has 76 pupils. One mother stated: "There just isn't enough information available on the health risks attached to such mobile phone antennae and containerised equipment". Recent moves by Esat Digifone to place antennae on Garda Stations, particularly at Keel in Achill, has aroused deep resentment and controversy. The switch to water towers, revealed this week by Mayo TD, Michael Ring, signals a change in tactics. Yesterday (Tuesday), Deputy Ring complained that the elected members of the authority had not been consulted and he called on the County Council to halt negotiations with Esat immediately. "The proposal raises a number of important questions for the Council and there is a certainly a question of conflict of interest", Deputy Ring stated. Mr. Ring's point about conflict of interest centres on the fact that Mayo County Council, who did a deal with Esat, will now be the ajudicator on whether the phone company gets planning permission for the antennae at the three locations. Deputy Ring began inquiries after receiving representations from people in Brookhill, Claremorris who were concerned about a proposal to erect a phone mast in their area. Mayo County Secretary, Padraig Hughes said an agreement in principle has been reached with Esat as regards the three water tower locations. However, the agreement is subject to planning permission. "I do not accept that there could be a conflict of interest", Mr. Hughes stated. "As a planning authority we are often involved in selling land to industrialists, such as Coca Cola, Ballina, and later have to ajudicate on planning". The County Secretary added that if there were objections the matter would go to An Bord Pleanala who would independently assess the applications so, in this way, the public were protected. Precise details of the deal worked out between Mayo County Council and Esat are not available but the agreement is believed to involve a payment in the region of £16,000 per annum and also the provision of equipment for the CAMP WEST ( regional fire communications) HQ in Castlebar. |
