Vol. 519 No. 5
230 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, following the publication of the Stewart Report in the UK regarding mobile phones and masts, he will revise his guidelines to local authorities concerning the placing of masts near schools and hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14067/00]
In July 1996 my Department issued guidelines for planning authorities on telecommunications antennae and support structures. The purpose of the guidelines was to assist planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, operators of mobile telecommunications services and the general public by providing guidance on dealing with telecommunications masts and base stations within the planning system. Due to the concern expressed during the public consultation process on the guidelines, a statement on health and safety aspects which the Departments of Health and Children and Public Enterprise, agreed with my Department, was included as an appendix to the guidelines. Health aspects are dealt with by requiring operators, as part of their planning application, to furnish to the planning authority a statement of compliance with International Radiation Protection Association guidelines.
