I thank the Chairman and members of the joint committee on behalf of the Glenbeigh community. We have the support of our community and many communities around the country, the support of Kathy Sinnott, MEP, the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy John O'Donoghue, Mayor Toireasa Ní Fhearaíosa, Kerry county councillors and that of the national group, Better Environmental and Safer Telecommunications, BEST.
As time is limited I note our submission of the following to the Chairman, committee members, our delegate group and media sources: a copy of signed statements from Kerry county councillors stating that they are being undermined by the Government and An Bord Pleanála; a copy of the Kerry county planning authority refusals for such masts followed by the automatic overturning by An Bord Pleanála of 100% of cases since 2004; a copy of today's submission; a copy of the planning regulations of 2001; a copy of the welcome note from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Dick Roche, on the website www.environ.ie; a copy of a letter from the Department of Health and Children; a list of board members of An Bord Pleanála and the functions of the board; the report of the Irish Doctors Environmental Association, IDEA, on the Oireachtas committee from February 2005; the address of the chairman at the annual meeting of the IDEA in February 2006; the evidence from the Birmingham scrutiny committee; and the IDEA study on sensitivity on non-ionising radiation in Ireland.
It is sad to think that we live in a dictatorship pawned off as a democracy. We appear before this committee to discuss telecommunications. The Government overlooks the existence of people who give its members jobs. The community of Glenbeigh welcomes technology but the correct siting of these masts is crucial to our existence. These masts are being erected to ensure the most up-to-date technological services in Ireland. Someone using a mobile phone has the freedom to choose to use it. In this process, the communities of Ireland are given no choice about location, health, future planning for homes, saving our jobs and ensuring safe food for animals on our land. The community of Glenbeigh does not intend to be subjected to bullying in 2006. It appears that the Kerry county development plan is being undermined by the Government and An Bord Pleanála, particularly with regard to telecommunications masts. It appears that the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is more important than the health and safety of the people and that An Bord Pleanála has the right to undermine the recommendations of this committee on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts.
The people of Glenbeigh have a past and a present but our future is in the hands of people who see fit to jeopardise our health and play God with our lives. Glenbeigh's setting is one of the most panoramic settings in the country, with archeological and geological sites, historical references and flora and fauna. The people have religious respectability and a passion to survive. Five masts exist within a two-mile radius of Glenbeigh and two new applications are proposed at Curraheen, beside a school, and at Coolnaharragill Lower. There is also a proposal to extend an existing mast at Gowlane, Glenbeigh. Each mast is less than 1 km from homes, schools playgrounds and our church. The applications for permission to construct these masts are the same as for a home but if we were to seek planning permission for a home the county council would require erection of a red and white pole to indicate the height of the building. If Vodafone makes an application and it is refused by the county council, it can be automatically overturned by An Bord Pleanála without being required to erect the red and white pole. There is one law for the rich and another for the ordinary people.
It is timely that we remember Chernobyl, a man-made catastrophe. In 2006 our Government is silently participating in a similar action which may take a number of years to unfold. The Government wishes to be seen to pressurise the British Government about Sellafield despite having allowed Irish workers to handle asbestos. Asbestos was considered safe to handle 40 years ago. Some 20 years later questions were raised regarding its safety and now specialists, wearing protective clothing, have to wrap it in plastic for safe disposal. We are raising similar questions about telecommunications masts and turning a blind eye to these environmental issues does not mean they will go away. They will haunt us and our children.
The IDEA has undertaken the first public health investigation into those suffering from electromagnetic sensitivity. The report documents the suffering and symptoms experienced by those who are electrosensitive. It is a condition suffered by between 1% and 5% of the population. This could amount to 200,000 people. We require the following from the Government and Vodafone: a letter of guarantee for each and every member of the community stating that our health will not be affected; compensation for the devaluation of our properties; discussion with the community on the relocation of masts far from homes and people or the possibility of satellite options if sufficient research has been carried out.
The ICNIRP guidelines date to 1998, the IRPA guidelines date to 1988 and it appears that studies carried out in 2003, 2004 and 2005 suggest serious health issues are caused by non-ionising radiation emissions from mobile telephone handsets and masts. The more up-to-date studies should take preference and the existing guidelines should be considered obsolete and updated.
In June 2005 the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources put together an excellent report on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts for which it should be commended. It appears reasonable health doubts exist. These warrant full and independent investigation unless the Government wants to be held responsible. Full implementation of the committee's guidelines should be immediate.
It is not acceptable that only 400 of approximately 4,000 masts erected are monitored, nor that we do not have confirmation on how many masts exist in Ireland. It is not acceptable that ComReg does not have the medical expertise with which to draw conclusions, nor that contradicting evidence of serious health effects is covered up by the Government.
In 1998, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport compiled a report on non-ionising microwave radiation emissions from communications masts. At that time it made recommendations on health, including:
9.15The Department of Health and Children should examine the report commissioned by the EC on electro-sensitivity and advise if its recommendations could be usefully implemented in Ireland.
9.16The Department of Health and Children should set up a panel of medical experts from which individuals, who consider their health is affected by masts, may select three to carry out medical examinations on payment by the individual of an appropriate fee. This fee will be refunded to the individual in a case where the medical experts agree that health problems are attributable to masts.
9.17The Department of Health and Children should include a statement in its forthcoming national environmental action plan setting out clearly the up-to-date position in relation to microwave radiation and human health.
9.18The Department of Health and Children should supply the Director of Telecommunications Regulation with the latest public information in relation to health risks for inclusion in her annual report.
It appears that in 2006, eight years after that report and its recommendations, the Minister for Health and Children has nothing to state on this matter as it is more appropriate to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, as per the copy of her letter enclosed for the attention of the committee. The Minister chose to ignore the recommendations. This is unacceptable when questions are being asked on health issues.
The British Medical Journal recognises a medical condition results from such microwave transmissions. Why are we so far behind other European countries where radiation levels are significantly lower than in Ireland? Why are the Swiss and Scottish Governments removing all masts and antennae near houses, schools, playgrounds and people and relocating them at much safer distances? Do not forget that every house has a playground.
One must question why re-insurers across the world do not allow insurance companies in Ireland to cover for loss or liability which arises out of or is contributed to directly or indirectly by exposure to magnetic electric or electromagnetic fields or radiation however caused or generated. Insurance companies worldwide do not cover for the following three items: an act of God; a terrorist attack or emissions from telecommunications masts. That says it all.
In this, an age of equality, committee members will understand and ensure that the following questions are answered before any applications are processed, including those relevant to Glenbeigh. Why are 100% of telecommunication masts applications refused by Kerry County Council then overturned by An Bord Pleanála regardless of concerns regarding health, safety, devaluation of property, depopulation and loss of local jobs and local infrastructure? To whom is An Bord Pleanála answerable? Is An Bord Pleanála exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and, if so, why and who processed such an exemption? Who funds An Bord Pleanála? Who set the terms of reference which An Bord Pleanála follow?
Why are State owned buildings exempt from any planning permission? Is it purely for money reasons? Do different rules apply to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Government than apply to the general public of Ireland and, if so, why? Again, it is timely that the Garda conference in Killarney also queried this matter. Do the international guidelines for acceptable levels of radiation refer to each antennae on a mast or the antennae combined? We cannot get this information.
As a result of the public session with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government on 10 May 2006, we wish to know when does that committee intend to have An Bord Pleanála before it to query the procedures by which it makes its decisions? How long will it take to have the recommendations implemented by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources? Through what process does this take place? If our help is required we will provide it. What is an acceptable timeframe in which to have our questions answered? It is not ten or eight years and neither is it acceptable to put something on a desk and forget about it. If that is the only answer we get today, we are happy to receive it and will seek due process.
We propose that until we have the answers to all questions, including the questions outlined in the report of the Joint Committee of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, an undertaking be taken here today to ensure that all procedures regarding applications in Glenbeigh or elsewhere be stopped. We also propose that oral hearings be allowed, if requested, with An Bord Pleanála. I understand they are not allowed at present. That is our democratic right. The planning application notice for telecommunications masts should be of a definite colour and size, different to that for a house, to ensure it is seen from a distance. Red and white poles should be erected on the site proposed for such masts.
Planning notices should be in local newspapers, not in the broadsheets or other Irish newspapers. At present, they are covered up and not seen until two days before the deadline for objections to be received. Every other avenue such as satellite options should be examined before allowing these masts to be put near any life form. The World Health Organisation guidelines, the ICNIRP and the IRPA guidelines should be updated immediately in line with studies conducted worldwide.
We are the communities and voters of Ireland. We ask the committee to ensure that democracy returns and not to cover up the dictatorship which exists or the evidence before us. We also propose that a meeting be set up with the committees for health and children and the environment and local government and request this committee's help in that. This is important because the Departments do not seem to communicate with each other. They all work within their own remit. It is crucial that we meet all Departments to bring this issue to their attention.
