Mobile Phones: Motion

Senator Pat O’Neill

I move:

That Seanad Éireann recognising the conflicting publicly available information regarding the safety of mobile phones, calls on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to consider the introduction of legislation that would require mobile phone operators and suppliers in Ireland to make available all information in their possession regarding the emission of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones.

I am pleased to propose the motion to the House on behalf of Fine Gael Members. There is a lot of information and misinformation on electromagnetic radiation. The motion acknowledges the prevalence of mobile phones and that there is conflicting information in the public domain on the associated safety risks. In 2005 ComReg reported that there were as many mobile phones in Ireland as there were people. There are over 5 billion mobile phone users worldwide. Within a very short period mobile phones went from being the preserve of James Bond to being a necessity for every man, woman and child in the State. In the relatively short time since they became part our daily lives, conflicting reports have emerged on the health risks, if any, of these devices.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, and thank him for taking this Private Members' motion on behalf of the Government. In a sense, his presence reminds us of a problem with mobile phones in that responsibility for the matter cuts across a number of Departments — primarily the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. In 2007 an expert report commissioned by the Government suggested there was a conflict of interest in the Department of Communications having a role in promoting and developing mobile communications as well as in providing health advice. Subsequently, responsibility for providing information on the health effects of electromagnetic fields was transferred to the Department of the Environment. While there is logic to separating functions in this area, such a division can also inhibit joined-up thinking on overall Government strategy.

In responding to a parliamentary question in May on mobile phone radiation, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, stated:

An expert group report on the health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those generated by mobile phones, was commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. The expert group reported that the majority scientific opinion to date is that no adverse short or long-term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. However, a minority group of scientists believe otherwise and extensive international research on the issue continues to be co-ordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organization. My Department monitors this research and key developments therein will inform any consideration of possible future policy interventions in this area.

Since that statement, the World Health Organization has published a report which has changed the position. The report was published after 31 scientists from 14 countries had come together to examine the latest research findings, as well as past studies of the risk of cancer posed by exposure to the electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones. These fields are generated when a mobile phone device relays information back and forth from nearby antennae. Following their analysis, the experts concluded that the radiation from mobile phones was "possibly carcinogenic" to humans.

On 1 June the chief medical officer in the Department of Health responded to the WHO by issuing a statement giving advice on mobile phone usage. The statement noted the recent report from the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer which classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones as being possibly carcinogenic to humans. The research had shown a possible association between mobile phone use and an increased risk of glioma, a malignant form of brain cancer. In its report the review group also identified a possible link between mobile phone use and acoustic neuroma, a benign tumour of the nerve that conducts hearing signals.

The chief medical officer stated:

We may not truly understand the health affects of mobile phones for many years. However, research does show that using mobile phones affects brain activity. There is general consensus that children are more vulnerable to radiation from mobile phones than adults. Therefore the sensible thing to do is to adopt a precautionary approach rather than wait to have the risks confirmed.

In the light of these findings, the chief medical officer strongly advises that children and young people should be encouraged to use mobile phones for "essential purposes only". All calls should be kept short, as talking for long periods prolongs exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields. The advice issued by the Department gave practical advice on how mobile phone users could reduce their exposure to radio frequency energy, for example, by making fewer calls, reducing the length of calls, sending text messages instead of calling, using landlines, if possible, using hands-free sets, if possible, and refraining from keeping an active phone clipped to a belt or in a pocket.

Regarding text messages, the WHO report states that when a mobile phone is in use in the normal way, where the user has it up to his or her ear, 90% of the radiation released is absorbed by the brain tissue located within five centimetres of the handset. The report notes the scientific uncertainty regarding mobile phone-related cancer risks. It also notes that many countries, including Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom and Russia, have taken a precautionary stance on the use of mobile phones, particularly by children. The European Environment Agency has also recommended that their use by children should be restricted.

While the WHO report is significant, it is not conclusive and the scientific experts involved have stressed the need for more research. Previously the WHO had stated there was no established evidence of a link between mobile phone use and cancer. Moreover, there are no data showing a surge in brain cancers, despite the surge in mobile phone usage. The University of Manchester carried out a study to examine the diagnoses of brain tumours in England in the period between 1998 and 2007 and concluded that there had been no statistically significant change in the number of brain tumours diagnosed during that period. However, the WHO report contains some words of caution. It points out that cancer can take a long time to develop and only 5% of the people included in the study had been using mobile phones for at least ten years.

The WHO's statement regarding its most recent publication notes that studies are ongoing to more fully assess potential long-term effects of mobile phone use. It also commits the WHO to conducting a formal risk assessment of all studied health outcomes from radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure by 2012. In this context, the motion calls on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to consider introducing legislation that would require mobile phone operators in Ireland to make available all information in their possession regarding the emission of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones. At the very least, such information should be made available to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which has a role in monitoring research and key developments in this area. I commend the motion to the House.

Senator Terry Brennan

I second the motion. I reserve my right to speak later.

Senator Mark Daly

Fianna Fáil will be calling a vote on this motion. This is showman politics. We offered to introduce legislation into the House, which is where we are supposed to make laws. This motion is only following up on what an Oireachtas committee did, not in the previous Dáil but in the one before that, and which made all the recommendations the Senator proposes in the motion.

The Senator spoke about the precautionary principle. What brings the motion to the House today is the World Health Organization's recent report suggesting the use of mobile phones by people under 16 years of age could be dangerous. The European Environmental Agency, which reports to the European Union, referred to the precautionary principle about which my colleague spoke in his address. Our Bill proposed the precautionary principle in making people aware of the potential dangers to children. We on this side of the House are not alone in trying to make people aware of this, but it is about how to do it. In the North, the NHS distributes informational leaflets to doctors' surgeries and elsewhere.

Our proposal, which the Government refused to take and debate, was for legislation. Instead of talking and proposing that the Minister do something, our job here is to propose legislation. However, that did not happen. In Britain the NHS refers to the dangers to children. What is peculiar about the motion is that mobile phone companies already inform people that mobile phones are dangerous. As my colleague pointed out, a person is supposed to keep the phone an inch away from his or her head. The instructions with a BlackBerry recommend keeping it one inch away from the ear when using the phone. Why does the company do that? If a user ever decided to sue at a later stage, the company can ask whether the user always kept the device an inch away from the ear as advised in the 96 page document he or she got when purchasing it. It is likely that he or she would not have done.

However, our proposal was somewhat more practical especially for children whose bone density is less and on whom electromagnetic fields would have a greater effect when using mobile phones. We proposed that the information the mobile phone companies provide anyway should be printed on the phone itself. I am not saying that people will stop using their phones, but I want everybody to be aware of what the phone companies are trying to make people aware of, but in a very low key way in the hope that people will not catch on to it. Lloyds of London, probably the best risk assessors of all time, cannot even quantify the risk to the extent that they will not insure mobile phone companies against possible litigation in a class action suit by people who could develop melanoma and brain tumours as a result of long-term mobile phone usage.

Europe had its first case when a labour court in Italy gave compensation to an employee who was obliged to be on his mobile phone by his employer. He was given compensation because the labour court ruled that it was most likely — obviously the burden of proof was less and did not need to be beyond all reasonable doubt — that the mobile phone was the cause of his brain tumour and subsequent death.

The World Health Organization has proposed applying the precautionary principle espoused by the European Environmental Agency. The health service in Northern Ireland distributes leaflets advising that children should not use mobile phones. Mobile phone companies advise people to keep the phones an inch away from their heads. Lloyds of London refuses to insure any mobile phone company against litigation. The labour court in Italy has stated that a person's brain tumour is most likely to have come from the long-term intense use of a mobile phone. However, today's motion merely hopes the Minister might do something down the line.

Fianna Fáil has a Bill ready to go that would do all that and make people aware. Once people have the information, they are quite entitled to do whatever they want. We are talking about the children under 16 years of age, who should be texting. Phones are important from a safety point of view. We do not suggest not using mobile phones, which are a part of everyday life, but that people should be aware of the potential danger. While it took 47 years to prove that tobacco smoking caused cancer, in that time there were many studies that were inconclusive. All the tobacco companies were able to fund those studies and claim it was very hard to prove a case beyond all reasonable doubt. We are not trying to prove anything beyond all reasonable doubt and are merely trying to apply the precautionary principle. We do not want to wait 47 years and then discover that perhaps we should have done more to make people aware. It is a democracy and people are entitled to make their choices of their own free will. However, it is not appropriate simply to talk about it like an Oireachtas committee.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Senator's time has almost expired.

Senator Mark Daly

An Oireachtas committee discussed it, not in the last Dáil, but in the one prior to that and nothing happened. We are talking about it today, but that is not what we should be doing. We have legislation that would make people aware of the potential dangers to their children. I would not like to be back here in 47 years time saying we should have made them more aware so that more people would not have suffered the long-term effects. If we applied the precautionary principle in more avenues of Government, from financial regulation to planning, we would be in a far better position. When it comes to people's health, we should not operate in the margin of risk. With 2,000 reports completed on the effects of mobile phones and mobile phone masts, of course we will not get any consensus and some people will be for and others against. I said at the start that this is showman politics and not real stuff. We should legislate. Colleagues this morning gave out about us having motions on tobacco and mobile phones.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

The Senator's time has concluded.

Senator Mark Daly

It is activity, not action. That is not politics and not why we are here.

Senator Terry Brennan

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Dowd, as mo chontae féin, go dtí an Teach. For many years no substantial link has been established between the use of mobile phones and detriment to health. Over the years many eminent scientists have completed several — Senator Daly suggested it is thousands — studies in various parts of the world, but none has established conclusively a direct link between the use of mobile phones and increased incidence in cancer. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic. More research is needed to substantiate the risk and prove beyond doubt there is a relationship between the frequent use of mobile phones and health issues. For many years no link has been substantiated and, thankfully, the medical research will continue for many years to come. This new analysis is based on a more recent approach and, although the risks are small, the expert group decided to upgrade mobile phone use to being a possible carcinogen.

In my previous employment on several occasions I encountered people who worried about their health owing to electromagnetic fields in close proximity to pylons and transformers. There is an analogy between mobile phone masts and overhead cables. I have been with engineers using equipment to measure electromagnetic forces at various locations such as a farmyard and a farmhouse and in two ordinary dwellings at different locations. Anyone who knows anything about magnetic fields will know they are measured in farads and, in the case of both electricity and mobile phones, the unit is the microfarad. I was amazed at the readings taken by the engineers at the base of overhead transformers, inside the milking parlour in a farmyard, the kitchen of a farmhouse, beside a microwave oven and close to a bedside clock. Having seen the reports, I ask Members to guess where the greatest magnetic reading was taken, whether it was in the farmyard, at the transformer, close to the bedside clock or otherwise. I guarantee they will not be able to guess correctly because, despite all the transformers, pylons and cables, it is the bedside clock which is beside most of us every night which emits more by way of magnetic forces than many of the other things we might suggest.

On the question of risk to children and teenagers, it has been pointed out that health authorities have always erred on the side of caution when it comes to mobile phone use. At this stage, who knows what the long-term affects will be, which is why I have a concern. I use the analogy of the septic tanks used 45 years ago which were the be all and end all then, but what are they today? The Department of Health in the United Kingdom issued fresh recommendations only this year that children aged 16 years and under should text only and speak over their mobile phones only when absolutely necessary. Thankfully, the Department of Health here gives the same advice. Children should be discouraged from spending too much time on their mobile phones.

Am I better off with a hands-free set rather than keeping the mobile phone one inch from my ear? I am, if I want to reduce the amount of energy being delivered to the brain, as pointed out by Senator Pat O'Neill. In addition, many accidents have occurred as a result of the use of mobile phones, which is an issue we should consider — I must admit I may be guilty on occasion in this regard. In seconding the motion I am not sure the information we have requested from the mobile phone operators will be forthcoming.

Senator John Whelan

I wish to share time with Senator John Gilroy.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator John Whelan

I thank the Minister of State for taking time out from his busy schedule to come to the House to discuss this matter. Contrary to Senator Mark Daly's view, to be fair, he has done good work on this issue, which I want to acknowledge.

The motion has merit in its own right. It is important that the Fine Gael group has brought it forward in a week when we have debated the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill in the House. We have seen what corporations do if they are allowed to get away with something and we have seen the effects of light touch regulation in this country to the maximum effect. Therefore, it can be categorically stated one cannot trust large companies which are profit driven and will not necessarily put the best interests of the community at large first. We saw this with the companies involved in the tobacco sector, in which, as Senator Mark Daly correctly pointed out, information had to be dragged from and beaten out of them. It took brave whistleblowers to eventually expose what was going on, namely, that they had known all the time and had the information in their possession. Senator Pat O'Neill's motion is of benefit in that such a law would compel companies to make available the level of information they have available on the possible dangers associated with the overuse of mobile phones.

I want to broaden the discussion to include transmitter masts and base stations. The Minister of State's Department has taken the initiative in the matter of high voltage power lines to appoint an expert group to report back to the Government by October on the benefits or otherwise of burying such cables underground.

At times in the public debate there has been a great deal of misinformation and mythology. Scaremongering does nothing to help the constructive nature of the debate. I agree that adopting a precautionary approach is advisable and vital. On the back of Senator Pat O'Neill's motion, it would be advisable to adopt best international practice in terms of the location of pylons, transmission masts, substations and, to extend the discussion, high voltage power cables which should not be in close proximity to dwellings, where possible. All this would take is some goodwill and common sense. With regard to hospitals, schools and playgrounds, as Senator Mark Daly said, what would be wrong with taking the best precautions?

It is a bit rich for politicians to talk about the overuse of mobile phones when everyone here seems to have one welded to his or her jaw. Having taken part in the debate, I intend to review my own conduct in that regard. One can either have a mobile phone at one's ear or strapped to the waist, which is not wise if we take it there are possible carcinogenic dangers. To be fair, the World Health Organization stated there were "possible" risks and attached the same possible carcinogenic outcomes to coffee and petrol. It is important, therefore, that we put the matter in context.

As one travels around the country at Holy Communion time, one will see children two hands higher than a duck with a mobile phone. While I know parents mean well, it is questionable whether this is wise, given the potential dangers, as Senator Mark Daly pointed out and on which Senator Pat O'Neill wants further information. I ask parents to consider the merits and weigh the pros and cons of giving children mobile phones in their formative years when it exposes them to potential health dangers.

Senator John Gilroy

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. Senator John Whelan mentioned that politicians seemed to have a mobile phone attached permanently to their ear, but it is well known that politicians' brains are smaller than those of members of the general public; therefore, the risk is neutralised.

Senator Mark Daly

The Senator speaks for himself.

Senator John Gilroy

I commend Senator Pat O'Neill for bringing this Private Members' motion before the House. I hope, however, that he will be generous and acknowledge that this side of the House is acting in good faith in opposing it.

The evidence is conflicting and vested interests are anxious to avoid damaging their brands. The same happened 30 years ago in the tobacco industry which actively suppressed information; therefore, it is a challenge to get industry to co-operate with such measures. I have little confidence when every expert report produced on one side of the argument is matched by another on the opposite side. The evidence is ambivalent. Senator Mark Daly mentioned the Italian case in which compensation was granted. Equally, in America in 2006 the exact opposite was found in a case against Motorola. Countries, industries and experts do not agree. The World Health Organization has classified prolonged mobile phone use as being in "Group 2B", meaning it is possibly carcinogenic and there could be an additional risk. It recommends additional research into the long-term use of mobile phones. Each and every report I can find, be it Danish, Swedish, British or German, finds there might be a risk but further research is needed. I agree with Senator Mark Daly on the precautionary principle which in health matters is very important, but the same principle applies to legislation. I support the amendment. After a period, if the industry is found to be unco-operative, we might introduce legislation to ensure such co-operation.

Senator David Cullinane

This morning on the Order of Business I questioned the wisdom of allocating two hours to discuss a motion calling for greater transparency in this area. What political party would oppose the thrust of the motion? Even the turn-out indicates we will not spend two hours debating it because we all broadly agree with it. I agree with Senator Mark Daly that we need action and a Bill to follow through on what has been said. The Senator had a Bill on the Order Paper for some time and I do not understand the reason it was not dealt with.

I have a mobile phone and references were made to politicians using them. We all use them and they are here to stay. If we look at what a mobile phone can do today compared with even 12 months ago, the technology is moving so fast that there is no doubt the usage of mobile phones will increase in the next few years. We must be conscious, therefore, of the health concerns.

While the World Health Organization stated mobile phone use could cause cancer, it was putting the matter in the context that we should not scaremonger on the issue. I do not believe mobile phone use causes cancer. Many reports have been commissioned, some good and some from vested interests, but they conflict and give different information on the health implications of the use of mobile phones. In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified mobile phones for the first time in its gold standard rating system and rated them as being in Group 2B, meaning they could possibly cause cancer in humans. In Denmark there was a study of 420,000 people which showed no clear link between mobile phone use and cancer. We can have any number of reports and depending on what a person thinks, he or she can cite a report to support his or her position. We must note, however, the remarks of the WHO. If there is any risk mobile phone use can play a part in causing cancer, we must take the necessary precautions.

I support the motion and hope that at a later point the Minister will introduce legislation. Perhaps at that stage we could have a fuller discussion of the issues involved. Perhaps on issues such as this, however, on which there is cross-party agreement, such motions could be passed without debate. When Bills are then introduced——

Senator Maurice Cummins

I have been told we are having a vote against the motion. What is the Senator talking about?

Senator David Cullinane

I did not say that. If someone else wants——

Senator Maurice Cummins

There is no cross-party agreement.

Senator David Cullinane

There is cross-party agreement on this issue, as the Leader knows. I welcome the motion, but the most important thing the Government could do is introduce the necessary legislation. I hope the Minister will look at the issues behind the motion and introduce the legislation required.

Senator John Crown

Given that I am a cancer expert, I feel obliged to say a few words in discussing a potential carcinogenesis. I was impressed with Senators' grasp of the confusing scientific literature. Obviously, people have thought this through and I want to reassure them by saying the medical profession is as confused as any other. The data are not clear that there is a risk. There is a sound first principles reason for believing there might be a risk, but that risk has not yet been completely proved or validated. Does that mean it is likely there is something that has not yet been discovered? We are not sure. Is it possible the conflict is based on the interests of those conducting the studies? That is unlikely. There have been several independent studies by highly reputable international research organisations which have not come out in favour of there being a risk. In general in medicine, when many studies are conducted and the risk is not clear cut, the general consensus is that there possibly is no risk or if there is, it is small, but we do not know.

At this stage, we should say what we know — that mobile phones emit radiation and that radiation in the appropriate circumstances can cause health problems. The bare minimum position should be that a nuanced health warning should be put on mobile phones in order that when parents buy them for their children, they fully understand there is an implicit responsibility in giving such a phone to a child or teenager because there is a possible health risk and the appropriate level of caution should be exercised.

Like my colleagues on this side of the House, I believe this is a non-controversial issue and the motion should be passed. If the Seanad is to have credibility as anything other than a talking shop, we should have moved quickly to have this nuanced, minimalist legislation passed. If it is not to be passed, I urge the Government to introduce legislation to put an appropriately nuanced advisory warning on mobile phones and in the literature that goes with them to tell consumers that radiation is emitted by mobile phones and that it has not yet been completely established that it is safe.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

I did not say so at the beginning, but I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him every success in his appointment. We are from the old school.

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Fergus O’Dowd)

We are. This is the first time I have spoken in the House since my five years as a Senator between 1997 and 2002, which I enjoyed. I might come back, although I do not really want to.

Senator Rónán Mullen

Is that Government policy?

Deputy Fergus O’Dowd

It is up to the people. The atmosphere in the Chamber is more encouraging in terms of debating issues than it can be in the Dáil. This is the Seanad's strength. I have listened to all of the contributions and will comment on them at the conclusion. I thank everyone who has spoken.

I will outline to the House the relevant elements of research and policy in this area. It is important that, in what is an essentially highly technical matter, account should be taken of the best available international research on the issues involved. The potential health effects of electromagnetic fields were the subject of an expert group report published by the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in March 2007. The report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, is available for download from my Department's website.

The independent expert group examined a wide range of issues in respect of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields. Its findings addressed many of the health risk questions raised by members of the public. The views expressed and conclusions drawn were informed by the principal scientific literature available worldwide on the matter at the time, including that of the World Health Organization, WHO.

The expert group concluded that there was limited scientific evidence of adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. Regarding the issue of mobile telephones and base stations, the group concluded: "From all the evidence accumulated so far, no adverse short or long term health effects have been shown to occur from exposure to the signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters".

The group recommended that Ireland should continue to adopt and enforce the guidelines developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP, an independent scientific organisation established in 1992 for the purpose of advancing non-ionising radiation, NIR, protection and to provide guidance and recommendations on protection from NIR exposure. The commission operates in co-operation with the environmental health division of the WHO and the United Nations Environment Programme and is endorsed by the WHO and the European Commission.

The expert group also examined the issue of emerging mobile wireless communications and stated that the technology in this area is not untested. Specifically, the group commented:

No untested wireless technology can be placed on sale within the European Union. All such equipment must meet a battery of standards for electrical safety, electrical compatibility, electrical interference, performance and fitness for use. The CE mark is applied to all tested electrical goods marketed within the EU. Mobile telephones and other wireless hardware meet the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC, the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, the CE (Mark) Directive 93/68/EEC and the R & TTE (Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment) Directive 1999/5/EC. In addition, mobile telephones are designed and manufactured not to exceed the limits for exposure to radio frequency, RF, fields recommended by international guidelines. These guidelines were developed by the ICNIRP and the exposure limits in the guidelines include a substantial safety margin designed to ensure the safety of all persons, regardless of age and health status.

One of the recommendations of the expert group was that precautionary measures be used where appropriate. This idea has been reflected in Senators' contributions to this debate. The recommendations of the expert group were approved by the Government and responsibility for this policy area was transferred to the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2007.

On 31 May 2011, the WHO, through its International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, issued a statement classifying RF electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Group 2B is used by the IARC to describe agents for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Coffee and gasoline would be two widely used agents that also have a Group 2B classification.

It is important to note that the new research has not established a direct link between mobile phone use and cancer. In terms of ensuring a balanced discussion on this issue, we should not lose sight of this fact. Equally, we must recognise the conclusion that there could be some risk. The key message for us, therefore, is that an appropriately precautionary approach should be followed and we should continue to monitor ongoing studies at international level that seek to determine what link, if any, exists between mobile phone usage and cancer risk.

The Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health subsequently issued a statement, which reads:

We may not truly understand the health affects of mobile phones for many years. However, research does show that using mobile phones affects brain activity. There is general consensus that children are more vulnerable to radiation from mobile phones than adults. Therefore, the sensible thing to do is to adopt a precautionary approach rather than wait to have the risks confirmed.

In light of the research findings, the CMO's statement strongly advised that "children and young people who do use mobile phones, should be encouraged to use them for ‘essential purposes only'". All calls should be kept short, as talking for long periods prolongs exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. All mobile phone users can reduce their exposure by making fewer calls, reducing the length of calls, sending text messages instead of calling, using mobile phones only when land line telephones are unavailable, using a wired hands-free device in order that the telephone need not be held against the head and refraining from keeping an active telephone clipped to the belt or in the pocket. This advice follows the precautionary approach accepted by Government following publication of the expert group's report in 2007.

It is also important to note that emissions from mobile base stations and handsets are regulated through the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the terms and conditions of licences issued to mobile service providers. These require service providers to ensure that electromagnetic radiation emissions are within the limits set by the ICNIRP in its published guidelines on limiting human exposure to electromagnetic fields. Information on handset emissions is also made available to the public in the technical manuals provided for consumers when purchasing a mobile phone.

During the past number of years, ComReg has conducted measurement surveys to verify licensee compliance with the ICNIRP limits. The detailed measurement results from 600 sites have been published on ComReg's website. The most recent report, entitled 2010 Programme of Measurement of Non Ionising Radiation Emissions Fourth Interim Report, presents the results of the fourth set of site surveys — there were 20 sites in all — undertaken during 2010. The measurements during these surveys were taken at the point of highest emissions in a public area associated with the transmitter. On the basis of this work, ComReg has concluded that the NIR emissions measured from all of the 20 sites were below the relevant ICNIRP guideline limits for general public exposure.

The Government has been involved in international initiatives concerning possible health effects from electromagnetic fields for many years. It was a founder member of the WHO electromagnetic field project and one of its first financial supporters. In Ireland, the Government intends that a single agency should have responsibility for the health effects of both ionising and non-ionising radiation. It is intended that this will be achieved by extending the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, to include responsibility for NIR, subject to the necessary resources being made available. Until the transfer of functions to the RPII takes place, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will continue to hold responsibility for these matters.

I support what the Leader of the House said. We introduced the motion in our Private Members' time and, as the Leader said, Senator Mark Daly is welcome to bring his Bill before the House at any stage.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. As Members said, research on the impact of electromagnetic fields, mobile phones, masts and such matters is ongoing. We need to obtain the full findings and I suppose it will never be a done deal in having all the answers. I thank the Minster of State for confirming that he will recommend to the Minister what Senator Crown brought before the House. I also welcome what he said regarding legislation, if it is needed.

Senator Mark Daly, among others, referred to the tobacco industry, one of the major industries of the world. We know how powerful that lobby group was, especially in American politics. It took 43 years to admit to the health risks associated with smoking. We all saw that famous film, the name of which I cannot remember, in which the whistleblower highlighted the fact that information was being suppressed. If mobile phone manufactures have information that should be in the public domain, they should not suppress it. That is the reason we introduced the motion. The information must be made available to us as legislators in Seanad Éireann or in the Dáil, as well as to members of the public because it is they who are the ones who decide in this respect.

All the Senators who spoke made a valuable contribution. Senator John Whelan is correct in pointing out that we cannot introduce an age limit as to when a person can be allowed to use a mobile phone. A recommendation has been made in England regarding media texting by those under the age of 16 years. I agree with Senator John Whelan. When my children were growing up, they asked for a mobile phone. Parents have a responsibility in regard to the age at which they will give their child a mobile phone. Children as young as 8 years old are being given a mobile phone, with which I do not agree. That puts them in a domain where they have contact with others. I am diversifying from the subject of the motion, but all of the social networks in the communications industry, whether it be the Internet, Facebook or Twitter, are in this domain.

I again thank the Minister of State for his time. If the mobile phone operators have information on this matter, it is important that it be made available to us as legislators and the general public.

Question put: "That the motion be agreed to."

Seanad Éireann debate - Wednesday, 13 Jul 2011

Mobile Phones: Motion

Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Jul 2011