Next Government Must Address An Bord Pleanála Backlog - Telecommunications Industry Ireland

Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII), the Ibec representative body for Ireland’s electronic communications industry, is calling on the next government to enact policies that strengthen the country’s telecommunication infrastructure and address blockages in the planning process. TII’s policy priorities for the next government also include improving telecoms coverage, enhancing safety and security, increasing public access to health information, and fostering a regulatory environment that encourages investment and network development.

TII also emphasises the importance of secure communications networks in Ireland, advocating for public funding of a cell broadcast public warning system similar to those in Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK, to deliver timely emergency alerts. TII also recommends creating new roles within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to combat fraudulent calls and texts and securing Ireland’s subsea cables through EU-aligned, multiannual funding.

Torlach Denihan, Director of Telecommunications Industry Ireland, stated, “Modern telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of Ireland's digital future and growth. Delays in project approvals not only impact our competitiveness but also limit society’s access to high-quality, reliable services. Reforming the outdated 1996 planning guidelines for masts, in light of significant technological progress, and clearing the current appeal backlog at An Bord Pleanála must be top priorities for the next government.”

Key Priority areas:

Improved telecoms coverage:

• Address the large backlog at An Bord Pleanála of decisions on appeals in cases concerning telecommunications infrastructure.
• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to update the 1996 planning guidelines for masts (“Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning”) because the current guidelines are badly outdated in view of the enormous changes in technology over the last 28 years.
• Priority for licence applications, road opening licences and approvals from local County Councils for telecommunication infrastructure build and installation.

Safety and security:

• Provide public funding for a fit for purpose cell broadcast mobile public warning system as done in Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.
• Create additional posts in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to investigate and prosecute cases of fraudulent calls and text messages to consumers.
• Increase the security of Ireland’s subsea cables in line with EU policy through a multiannual plan with associated funding.

Regulatory policy

• Regulatory policy should promote an environment that encourages both competition and continued investment by industry in network improvement and new technologies.

• Extend the length of spectrum licences to encourage investment by providing greater certainty for investors.

• Ensure through the implementation of the Gigabit Infrastructure Act that standard national terms and conditions apply to telecoms infrastructure located on State property and that such property is made available
• Ensure adequate resources and infrastructure are in place for implementation of the Electronic Communications Security Measures Regulations and NIS2 Directive and that an appropriate and proportionate approach is adopted, permitting adequate time and consultation for compliance.

Encourage connectivity:

• Extend the Trading Online Voucher Scheme to incentivise SME take-up of very high-capacity networks (fibre and 5G FWA).