Vol. 519 No. 5
171 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take following the publication of the Stewart report outlining the dangers of mobile phones and masts to young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14093/00]
All significant research in this area is monitored by the Department of Public Enterprise with whom my Department liaises regarding the human health aspects. However, I have asked my Department's chief medical officer to examine the report referred to by the Deputy and report back to me.
I am advised that mobile phones in use here meet the standards for exposure levels recommended by the EU for public exposure to non-ionising radiation emissions.
Guidelines were issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government to all local planning authorities in relation to location of mobile phone masts. Furthermore, operators of mobile phone systems here are required to comply with emission levels set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection and emission levels are monitored by the Office of Director of Telecommunications Regulations.
