Vol. 481 No. 1
84 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the latest research on the possible health effects from masts for mobile telephones services; if an independent body conducts this research; if a non-thermal standard can be used to ensure low exposure of radiation; if monitoring of the radiation from these masts will continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15664/97]
The issue of possible effects on health from the transmission and receiving antennae required for the roll-out of mobile telephone services has been the subject of much research internationally. I can inform the House that 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 — who are advisers to the World Health Organisation on these matters.
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 compulsory in Ireland.
Compliance with international non-ionising radiation emission standards is a condition attached to all telecommunications licences for mobile telephony services issued in Ireland. The Director of Telecommunications Regulation, who was appointed pursuant to the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1996, is responsible for ensuring compliance with licence conditions and will arrange for monitoring of non-ionising radiation emissions. I understand that the director is currently looking at this issue and intends to put in place suitable arrangements in the near future.
It should also be noted that mobile telephones in use in Ireland meet the exposure standards recommended by major health advisory bodies worldwide, including the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection, the American National Standards Institute and the United States National Council for Radiation Protection and Measurements.
Further research in the area has been proposed recently in a report commissioned by the European Commission and I can confirm that my Department will be monitoring developments to ensure that the most up-to-date standards are applied to emissions in this country.
I would also like to inform the House that arising from the increasing number of inquiries being received in my Department from local authorities, Health boards and elected representatives concerned about the health aspects of mobile phone towers, MMDS masts and other transmission infrastructure, it has been decided to hold an international conference on this issue early next year. The conference is, as of yet, at the early planning stage. I will keep Members informed as progress is made.
