Vol. 469 No. 5
214 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has for the establishment of an independent body on non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation to monitor radiation levels from transmitters and to ensure compliance with international protection association guideline levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17680/96]
Best international practice in relation to emissions of electro-magnetic radiation from communications masts is laid down by the International Radiation Protection Association. IRPA, in its 1988 guidelines as recently endorsed in a review by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP, an international and well respected group of experts in the area of non-ionising radiation
At the general level, the obligation to comply with this best practice is included in licences issued by me to the operators of transmitters for telecommunications purposes.
It will be a function of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation, which is to be established before the end of the year following the enactment of the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 1996, to ensure compliance with all licensing conditions, including those relating to emissions standards. As part of this function, the regulator is to arrange for monitoring of such emissions on a regular and nationwide basis.
