Sir, - The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, at the IMI conference in Killarney, stated that "fundamental changes are needed in the planning process to allow major infrastructural projects to be completed more quickly".
He also said that a "better balance must be found between the individual's right to object, and the need to ensure rapid progress".
A preliminary reading of the Telecommunications (Infrastructure) Bill, which is to be discussed in the Dail shortly, appears to give unprecedented weight to telecommunications operators over the rights of individuals.
Articles 40.3.1 and 40.3.2 of the Constitution defend an individual's property rights, but it is proposed in this Bill to give telecommunications operators the right to "compulsorily acquire land needed for their infrastructure".
Because many communities have exercised their democratic right to object to mobile phone masts through the normal planning process, and have had their objections upheld by An Bord Pleanala, telecommunications operators have become "intensely frustrated and even infuriated by public action."
In the proposed Bill, it seems, as a way of circumventing the normal planning process, a three-person board will be appointed by the Government. In section 9 of the First Schedule, it states that "the Board shall have the powers, rights and privileges vested in the High Court or a judge thereof."
This process, it seems, will cut out a community's involvement, and make the matter a deal between the landowner, the telecommunications operators and the board.
Where a landowner consents to his/her property being used for telecommunications infrastructure, that is that as far as the rest of the community is concerned.
However, where there is a dissenting landowner, the telecommunications operators may appeal to the board for compulsory purchase of the land deemed necessary to them.
What kind of Government is it that wishes to pass a Bill to facilitate mega-rich telecommunications operators to compulsorily acquire the land of its own citizens, whose property rights are supposedly guaranteed by the Constitution of this State? - Yours, etc., Chris Kimmerling,
Taranaghmore, Foxford, Co. Mayo.