With all the rows over the erection of masts around the state to provide the network for the ubiquitous mobile phones, you can understand why Eircell chief Stephen Brewer would be looking to have a say in any proposed changes to the planning law. However, his latest contribution will do little to assuage the fears of those already protesting such masts.

He claims the next generation of mobile communications will generate the need for additional small structure base stations, every 300 metres. As a result, about 150 sites a year for the next five years will need to be added to the existing 700 sites that are already built.

I can just see how that is going to go down with the NIMBY lobby around the State.