The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has no statutory functions in relation to non-ionising radiation (i.e. non-nuclear radiation) and I have no plans at present to give them such additional powers.
However my Department and the Department of Health are aware of public concern in this area, in particular in relation to the recent study produced by Professor Henshaw of Bristol University. This latest study will be assessed by the broad scientific community and incorporated into the existing body of scientific literature of over 11,000 studies and reports which have been published into possible adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields surrounding overhead electric power lines.
The consensus among all authoritative international and national review panels of scientific experts who have studied this body of literature, is that there is no conclusive evidence that the electric and magnetic fields generated by overhead power lines or electrical apparatus are harmful to health. Research and studies in this area are carried out on an ongoing basis and my Department along with the Department of Health will continue to monitor significant research in this area.
