Mobile masts policy could raise €100m for Exchequer

A new plan to lease mast space to mobile phone firms could put €100m in the State coffers over the next 10 years.

The project was announced yesterday by Tom Parlon, Minister for State at the Department of Finance.

Mr Parlon said that all public buildings except schools would be included in the plan.

He added that the Office of Public Works would start signing deals soon with the main mobile companies - Vodafone, 02, Meteor and Hutchison.

The mobile firms are currently on the lookout for thousands of mast sites which would enable them to offer customers 3G multimedia and high speed internet services.

Wireless broadband agencies such as Esat BT and Irish Broadband might also take up the option of leasing space on the sites for their masts.

Mr Parlon said that whoever was licensed to erect equipment on State land would have to comply with planning requirements and radiation emission limits.

The mast space plan is part of Mr Parlon's 'Transforming State Assets' programme, which looks to use existing State properties to generate revenue for the Exchequer.

The minister said that some of the funds raised could help finance the Government's decentralisation policy.