Vol. 458 No. 5
191 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the national regulations, including EU regulations, regarding radio electronic emissions from mobile 'phone masts; if monitoring of such emissions takes place in this State; if the Eircell mast (details supplied) in Dublin 7 is monitored; and if so, the results of any such monitoring. [17277/95]
There are currently no national regulations regarding electromagnetic emissions from mobile telephone base stations. Regular monitoring of radio frequency emissions from such stations does not take place and there is no information available on the base station mentioned by the Deputy. Eircell's base stations are designed in the first instance to comply with guidelines on limits of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields issued by the International Non-Ionising Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). Telecom Éireann has, from time to time, commissioned independent monitoring tests on selected Eircell base stations. I am informed by the company that it is satisfied, as a result, that these base stations are operated in continuing compliance with the IRPA guidelines.
In the context of the forthcoming second GSM mobile telephone licence, I will shortly be bringing forward regulations governing the use of radio transmissions by mobile telephone base stations. In formulating these regulations, and the licences to be issued under them, I will have regard to the need for compliance at all times with best international practice, in particular to the safety guidelines of the IRPA.
