Telecommunications Infrastructure Licence
Under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, Local Authorities are tasked with the issuing of licences for the placement of appliances, cables, signs, and/or other items on public roads. This section of the act outlines the provisions in relation to the licensing of aboveground appliances and cables, etc. on public roads.
Dublin City Council are restricted to assessing applications within the limitations of Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act, as amended. See links below:-
Planning and Development Act, 2000 (irishstatutebook.ie)
Planning and Development Act, 2000, Section 254 (irishstatutebook.ie)
Circular PL 11/2020 Telecommunications Services - Planning Exemptions and Section 254 Licenses
What will the Planning Authority consider, Section 254 (5)?
- The proper planning and sustainable development of the area
- Any relevant part of the development plan or the local area plan
- The number and location of existing appliances, apparatuses or structures on, under, over or along the public footpath/road.
- The convenience and safety of road users including pedestrians and cyclists
NOTE: If your application relates to the installation of telecoms poles/ masts, please contact [email protected] to arrange a pre-application meeting.
To apply for a Section 254 Telecommunications Infrastructure Licence, you will need to apply on line and submit the following. See link below:-
Telecommunications Infrastructure Licence
- Sign up/ log in
- Upload 1/1000 drawings
- Upload 1/1000 map location
- Upload photograph of site notice in place and date or erection
- Upload Insurance Certificate, confirming Dublin City Council is indemnified
- Upload Health & Safety Statement and letter confirming Safety Statement in place
- Pay the appropriate fee
Under Section 254 (6) (a), the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) any person may, in relation to the granting, refusing, withdrawing or continuing of a licence under this section or to the conditions specified by the planning authority for such a licence, appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála Appeals Processes
Appeals process
Section 254 "Street Furniture" Licence Appeals | An Bord Pleanála (pleanala.ie)
Making an appeal
Making an appeal on a Section 254 "Street Furniture" Licence Appeal | An Bord Pleanála (pleanala.ie)
Appeals documents
Board's decision on a Section 254 "Street Furniture" Licence Appeal | An Bord Pleanála (pleanala.ie)
What is the purpose of telecommunications aboveground Infrastructure?
The purpose of this infrastructure is to improve the mobile network coverage within the surrounding area in order to realise the city’s connectivity potential and also to address mobile connectivity blackspots.
How are safety concerns related to Telecommunications infrastructure addressed?
All sites are continually monitored, recorded and reported to ensure that public protection limits are not exceeded.
The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) manages Ireland’s radio spectrum. In managing this spectrum, ComReg monitors mobile network operators, to ensure that exposure levels of the general public to radio frequency waves from mobile phone antennae (also known as base stations) are low and that they do not exceed the recommended limits. They also measure Non-Ionising Radiation (NIR) levels in public areas to ensure that levels do not exceed the recommended limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is an international commission which specialises in non-ionizing radiation protection.
All mobile telecoms sites are regularly monitored and safety reports are published on Siteviewer and the latest reports can be found here.
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is responsible for setting policy relating to the health effects of Non-Ionising Radiation (NIR) including electromagnetic fields.
If there are any other queries or concerns in relation to this topic The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides independent expert advice to the Government and to the public on exposure to NIR (including on relevant standards for public protection), as well as the monitoring of scientific/technological developments likely to impact on public exposure to NIR. EPA website can be found here.