Cork councillors call for greater transparency around telecoms mast licensing

Telecoms masts are exempt from planning, there is no requirement on the applicant to erect a site notice in advance or to place an ad in a newspaper

Cllrs Sean Martin and Paudie Dineen with residents of Friars Walk who recently blocked the installation of a second telecoms mast in six months outside a house. The first mast is visible in the background. Residents and local public representatives often only find out that a mast is being installed in their area when work crews arrive on-site to install it. 

Greater transparency is needed around the licensing system governing the installation of telecoms masts, councillors in Cork have said.

They spoke out following confirmation from city officials that they are to be informed by email when decisions are made to either approve or reject a license application for the erection of the masts designed to boost mobile coverage blackspots and to help with large-scale data downloading.