Vol. 512 No. 1
166 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will undertake a health survey on the incidence of cancer in the Dublin Hill and Ballyvolane areas of Cork in view of the concern expressed by residents that the 110kw high tension electricity wires running through their suburbs may be responsible for cancer cases. [25591/99]
The National Cancer Registry is the body responsible for monitoring the incidence of cancer in the State. The board collects, classifies, records, stores and analyses information relating to the incidence and prevalence of cancer and related tumours. A health survey of the kind suggested by the Deputy would be a matter primarily for the National Cancer Registry.
With regard to a possible link between power lines and cancer considerable research has been carried out internationally. The balance of scientific research to date has not conclusively established a causal link between electric and magnetic fields associated with power lines and cancer.
Research is ongoing and the World Health Organisation in 1996 launched a five year research programme, the international EMF project, to assess the health and environmental aspects of electric and magnetic fields. This project is being carried out over a five year period and will bring together current knowledge and available resources of key international and national agencies and scientific institutions in order to arrive at scientifically sound recommendations for health risk assessments.
Should conclusive evidence emerge of an unacceptable public health risk I would seek to have remedial measures put in place by the appropriate Government Departments and agencies.
