The arrangement whereby Esat Digifone has been permitted to use Garda radio masts or sites is on a fully commercial basis, the Minister of State for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, told the House.
He said that it provided the Garda with strategically significant benefits relating to its communication needs which would lessen, but by no means remove, the need for significant Exchequer investment in developing its communications system.
Mr O Cuiv was replying to Mr John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East).