Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Telecommunications Masts.

Cecilia Keaveney

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this matter and I thank the Minister of State for attending. Once upon a time there was a residential area in Moville, County Donegal, with a Garda station. One morning people woke up to find a large mast erected beside the station. I have no objections to mobile telephones or to masts. However, I object to the lack of consultation.

The change in regulations which occurred at the start of the year allowed for an amount of flexibility in relation to erecting telephone masts beside existing Garda station masts. However, because of the lack of clarity regarding the amount of consultation with the public, people wake up to find masts outside their bedroom windows.

I contacted the Department of Public Enterprise in regard to the situation in Moville. The Department is aware that people are concerned about the health implications of masts and informed me that WHO guidelines are compulsory in Ireland. There is a feeling that there is no risk to health but this information is not getting through to the public.

There should be some public consultation before a mast is erected in a residential area. Many people are concerned about the environment. There is a fear of the unknown. Twenty years ago smoking was considered healthy, now it is considered unhealthy. People fear that some beverages which are considered healthy today will not be considered so in 20 years.

The people in Moville are questioning the positioning of telephone masts in residential areas. It used to be the case that they were located in towns only as a last resort. People wish to know when this policy changed. There is much positive information available which would allay the fears of the public but it is not being got across to people who have genuine concerns. We should consult more with local people and I am seeking information on the current guidelines governing the locating of these masts in residential areas.

Mr. Fahey

I am aware that there is some public concern about possible adverse health effects from exposure to radiation emissions from transmitter masts associated with mobile phone systems. Licences to operate mobile phone systems are awarded by the Department of Public Enterprise which monitors all significant research in this area. My Department liaises with that Department regarding the human health aspects. The general body of scientific evidence to date has not established a definite link between this form of radiation and ill-health. Licensed telecommunications companies are required to operate within emission limits set by the International Radiation Protection Association. Measurements taken here show that exposure levels are well within the recommended safety levels.

Regarding the erection of transmitter masts, I would draw the Deputy's attention to Government policy on mobile phone services which is that these should be available as far as possible on a countrywide basis. Telecommunications companies are obliged by their licences to provide wide population coverage. This involves the erection of considerable numbers of telecommunication masts in urban and rural areas. Approval for the erection of the transmitter masts is the responsibility of the local planning authorities. Where possible, companies are required to use and share existing masts to avoid unnecessary proliferation.

Last year the Department of the Environment issued guidelines to the local planning authorities dealing with telecommunications structures. The guidelines include a section dealing with the health and safety aspects which was agreed by my Department, the Department of Public Enterprise and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. This points out that the safe limits of exposure established by the International Radiation Protection Agency (IRPA) in 1988 were re-examined by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection using criteria produced by the World Health Organisation. The commission's examination endorsed the levels set by the IRPA.

The Office of Director of Telecommunications Regulation was established by the Minister for Public Enterprise earlier this year. Its function is to ensure that licensed operators of telecommunications systems comply with all the conditions of their licence including emission standards. Emissions are to be monitored on a regular and nationwide basis. Early next year my Department will be cosponsoring with the Department of Public Enterprise a conference on health issues and the telecommunications infrastructure. A wide range of health and technical matters will be discussed at the conference.

Furthermore, research and studies in this area are carried out on an ongoing basis and medical officers in my Department keep themselves informed of developments. Should conclusive evidence emerge that this form of radiation is causing an unacceptable public health risk, appropriate remedial measures will have to be put in place.