Sir, - It is difficult to understand why Ireland should be considered to need as many mobile telephone networks as (for example) the United Kingdom, which has 20 times our population, and five times our population density. Is there not a danger that the mistakes of 200 years ago will be repeated, when two Dublin Shannon canals were built? One would probably have been financially viable, two were not.
This question would be of little interest to the general public, besides the users of the networks, were it not that their construction involves the erection of antennas and masts on prominent sites throughout the country. These intrusive installations usually also require buildings for equipment, roads for access and poles and cables for the supply of electricity.
Fortunately planning permission is required before a site can be developed or desecrated. Or is it? It now appears (report, January 18th) that some EU Commissioner (unelected by anyone let alone by Irish voters) is applying pressure to by pass the planning procedures.
I take it that this is an example of the famous "subsidiarity" principle in action; of making the EU more responsive to the needs of its citizens. - Yours, etc.,
Strand Road,
Killiney, Co Dublin.