THREE groups representing more than 95 per cent of the Garda force have expressed concerns about a plan to allow a private mobile telephone company to use masts on Garda stations.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, the Garda Representative Association and the Garda Federation said they were worried that the equipment could be a health risk. They are also concerned that they were not consulted about the plan, announced this week by the Department of Justice.
The Department and the Garda have agreed in principle to allow Esat Digifone to use the Garda masts for its transmission equipment, although a formal agreement has yet to be completed.
The private mobile telephone company, backed by a radio station owner, Mr Denis O'Brien, and stockbroker Mr Dermot Desmond, is to start a service next year to rival Telecom's Eircell.
However, residents groups and expert bodies have raised concerns about electronic fields and radiation emissions from mobile telephone masts.
Yesterday the AGSI called for work on the project to be halted, "until the full health and safety aspect of the masts has been cleared to its satisfaction".
The president of the association, Mr John Durcan, said "We do not want any installations placed on Garda stations if there is the slightest doubt about their safety and we are demanding a meeting with the Minister to clarify the situation." He said the association was also concerned about public health implications.
It appeared that the arrangement was being entered into with out consultation "for short term financial gain. We will not tolerate our members' health being placed in jeopardy," he added.
Mr P.J. Stone, deputy general secretary of the GRA, said it was worried that there might be "health hazards" associated with the masts. The organisation was writing to the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, to express its concern, he said.
Mr Chris Finnegan of the Garda Federation said there were two main concerns the potential effect on health, and the security aspect of allowing private contractors access to Garda stations. He said he assumed that Garda management had considered the security aspect. The federation wanted a meeting with both the Department of Just ice and the Department of Health, so that both aspects could be discussed.