Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1986 > Committee on Public Expenditure > Report No. 16 - Review of Procedures relating to road openings by utilities

APPENDIX 4

Letter to the Clerk to the Committee from Telecom Eireann 24th April, 1986

So far as we are concerned, the present procedures regarding wayleaves, opening notices, 10-day notices, etc. operate satisfactorily and consultations between ourselves and Dublin Corporation at all levels on these aspects work quite well. As a general rule, we notify the Corporation about every new telecomms project before it commences and, where major works are concerned, we additionally supply estimated completion dates.

It is understood that there have been some general complaints from Dublin Corporation about the method of backfill used by some utilities. In the case of Telecom Eireann operations, we are satisfied that the specification for backfill used by our work force (and contractors when previously employed by us on this work) meets requirements (a copy of the specification followed by us is attached).

With regard to the maintenance of manhole covers etc., about which we have been receiving a certain number of complaints from the general public, we are currently in communication with the Corporation about the relevant specification which, in our view, is capable of improvement so as to reduce the danger of damaged covers constituting a public hazard. We would suggest that the manner of permanent re-instatement carried out by the Corporation could also be reviewed with a view to similar improvement.

With regard to re-instatements generally, Telecom Eireann is not consulted in regard to the charges levied which are settled by Dublin Corporation at the beginning of each year. Our experience is that the Corporation’s permanent re-instatement charges have been approximately 15-20 % higher than those of the other Dublin Authorities. On the other hand, Dublin Corporation assumes public liability with 7 days of the receipt of a re-instatement order which is more reasonable than other Authorities. Finally, we find that, where work is temporarily re-instated and handed over to the Corporation, there can be up to two years delay before permanent re-instatement is completed.

I hope that the foregoing may be of some assistance to the Committee.

Yours sincerely,

J. Joyce

Executive Director.