Vol. 478 No. 2
146 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the additional research, if any, which has been carried out since Deputy Sargent's question to his predecessor on 29 June 1994 in relation to non-ionising radiation and the health effects of MMDS and mobile phone masts; and if he will give the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland additional statutory functions in relation to such non-nuclear radiation. [10822/97]
As indicated in the reply to the Deputy's question in 1994, my Department has continued to monitor research developments in the area of non-ionising radiation emissions.
In 1996 a major review of the health issues raised by non-ionising radiation emitted by telecommunications masts was carried out by the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is the adviser to the World Health Organisation in this area. The report concluded that there is no substantive evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to levels of non-ionising radiation at levels at or below those set in 1988 by the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA). The IRPA guidelines are made compulsory limits in Ireland. A number of tests carried out by Forbairt confirm that actual emissions from masts in Ireland are well below the limits. Further research in the area has been proposed recently in a report commissioned by the European Commission and I can confirm that this Department will be monitoring developments to ensure that the most up-to-date standards are applied to emissions in this country. Independent research in Ireland is not therefore considered necessary.
Compliance with international non-ionising radiation emission stardards is a condition attached to all telecommunications licences for mobile telephony services issued by my Department.The Director of Telecommunications Regulation, who is to be appointed shortly pursuant to the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996, will be responsible for ensuring compliance with licence conditions and will arrange for monitoring of non-ionising radiation emissions. It is, therefore, not necessary to give the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland additional statutory functions in this area.
