ESAT Digifone's use of Garda station masts will save the taxpayer money and prevent the proliferation of masts, the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has told the Oireachtas Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport. He said developments in information technology meant that gardai in patrol cars would be able to access databases and other computer-based systems.
However, the current radio system, which in rural areas dated from the early 1980s and in Dublin from 1987, did not support data communications. A new system was being developed which, as well as the construction of new masts on current sites, would require the use of hilltop sites to provide integrated regional and national coverage.
Many of the requirements of the planned new Garda system coincided with the requirements of GSM mobile phone operators, he said. "The proposal from Esat Digifone to co-operate on the development of sites therefore provided the opportunity to reduce the cost to the Exchequer of the development of the Garda radio system.
"It also prevented the proliferation of masts by allowing a single development to serve both purposes. For these reasons the Esat proposal was accepted in 1997." The agreement with Esat provided for the sharing of masts at 418 - or 59 per cent - of Garda stations.
Mr Tim Dalton, secretary general of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, said Eircell had approached the Garda with a view to getting access to 260 masts, some of which were being used by Esat. The arrangement with Esat was not exclusive and the Eircell request was under consideration.
The chief executive of Esat Digifone, Mr Barry Maloney, said Esat was paying commercial rates for the use of the masts and would also have to pay for any new or replacement masts necessary.
