Vol. 485 No. 2
23 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the consideration that the Swedish Government is giving to the idea of banning the use of mobile telephones on ferries and ships in view of the effect that these telephones have on ships' navigational systems and on the opening mechanisms of ferry doors; and the plans, if any, she has to introduce a similar ban in this country. [22731/97]
I am not aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy but if he would like to supply me with details, I shall have the matter looked into.
I can confirm, however, that mobile telephones in use in Ireland comply with accepted international technical standards. In the case of GSM telephones, these standards are set by the European Technical Standards Institute and, for analogue mobile telephones, the UK standard is used.
As far as the introduction of a ban on the use of mobile telephones on ferries and ships is concerned, this is a marine safety matter and as such would be a matter for the consideration of my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
