THE Cable Communications Association of Ireland (CCAI), in a statement issued last night, was strongly critical of the government's stance: "The Licensed cable/MMDS industry find it incredible that the government would renege on the legally-binding contracts that enticed major capital investment into the country to set up MMDS networks.
"The cable/MMDS industry has deployed its resources at every level to honour the terms and requirements of their agreements with the State but the Government have acted with total neglect of their obligations under the terms of the contract with the licensed companies."
The statement added that the Government had, in fact, offered solace and even encouragement to illegal UHF deflectors to continue their unlawful operations. The government's decision today, "if left unchallenged, would destroy job growth within a developing industry such as ours. It would have an immediate adverse impact on existing job levels and may ultimately bring about the failure of some companies".
The CCAI says its member companies are arranging immediate legal consultation to establish their options.
