Green Party councillors on Bray Town Council have criticised the way in which a new mast has been erected on Bray Garda station without any consultation with the local authority or its planners.

Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, says that the new mast that has been erected on the Garda station is heavier than the previous one and more ‘visually intrusive’. She says that many local residents have contacted her to complain about the mast and to enquire whether it will be used for purposes other than Garda business.

Cllr de Burca has spoken with the Planning Section of Bray Town Council whose officials report that they were not consulted about the erection of the mast. Officials have told her that they have contacted the Telecommunications Centre of the Garda Siochana in Phoenix Park to enquire about the height and the function of the new mast. They are awaiting a response at present.

Green Party councillor in the East Ward, Ciaran O'Brien, says “most residents are primarily concerned with the health issues and are not convinced that masts are safe. If the mast is ‘exempt development’ and does not require planning permission, it is up to the Department of Justice to satisfy the local authority that this mast is non-commercial. The Department of Justice has not done this but rather has taken a very arrogant approach and failed to communicate with the local authority”.