The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (OPW) have issued licences to install telecommunications equipment on masts at Garda Stations to the following companies, all of which are licensed by ComReg to provide services in Ireland.
• Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd.
• Three Ireland Services (Hutchison) Ltd. (formerly O2 Ireland Ltd).
• Vodafone Ireland Ltd.
• Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd. (now known as Eir).
• Lighthouse Networks Limited.
• Imagine Network Services Limited.
• E-Nasc Eireann Teoranta (E-Net).
• Tetra Ireland Ltd - These licences are for the provision of digital radio services to An Garda Síochána and other emergency services and as a result of this a licence fee is not payable.
All licence fees due from operators on telecommunication masts under these licences are payable to the OPW quarterly in advance and are subject to VAT at 23%.
That income is subsequently allocated as follows:
• 11% of all licence fees collected plus VAT is transferred to the OPW’s agent who is contracted to manage mast sites on behalf of the OPW;
• 30% of the licence fees collected in respect of Garda Masts is transferred to the Department of Justice.
The balance of the licence fees, less minor expenses, is surrendered to the Exchequer as part of Appropriations in Aid on the OPW's Vote.
Officials in my Department are currently collating information on the gross income (excluding VAT), received by the State under licences granted by the OPW in respect of mobile telecommunications equipment on Garda Masts for 2019 to 2023. I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
