When Esat signed a deal last February with the Garda for the use of its stations for the erection of telecommunications masts it was seen as something of a coup within the industry.
It appeared the deal would enable Esat to overcome planning requirements which had delayed, for a number of months, the start of the company's mobile-phone service.
However, one year on, the company has erected fewer than one third of the estimated 420 masts due to be located under the agreement at Garda stations throughout the State.
All of the masts erected so far have been placed where antennae were already in existence and therefore did not require planning permission.
Planning applications for over 200 masts are currently being processed, and permission has yet to be received for any one of them.
Mr Barry Maloney, chief executive of Esat, said the delays were "a worry in that we have an agreement with the Garda we intend to fulfil".
However, he said, it didn't affect the company's ability to meet the requirements of its licence. Mr Maloney also said the deal produced a "win-win" situation. "If Esat Digifone wasn't here, the Commissioner would have to pay for the new masts through public funds. So it is saving the State and the taxpayer. "It's also good from an environmental point of view, as it results in only one mast instead of two."
For the Garda, the main attraction of the deal is seen as technological rather than financial. Under the agreement, the new masts will become the property of the State after they are erected.
As part of a new £75 million communications network, they will enable the Garda to have access to secure, digital transmissions technology. So far, gardai have used analog facilities, which are susceptible to interception.
The new network is to run in parallel with the force's PULSE project, a £36 million information technology programme, which includes the installation of 600 personal computers in stations. Under the deal, the Garda will also benefit from the provision of free mobile phones to all senior personnel, who will be able to communicate free of charge within the system.
In addition, Esat will have to pay a lease for the use of the new radio masts. Payments are estimated to be worth up to £3 million a year to the Garda.
