Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
178 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views in relation to electrosensitivity; if he has consulted with sufferers; and the actions that have been taken following the recommendations of the All-Party Committee on Non-Ionising Radiation in November 1998. [15083/04]
View answerI am aware of concerns expressed by some persons in regard to hypersensitivity to electromagnetic radiation. The Irish Electromagnetic Radiation Victims Network, IERVN, is an organisation which represents their interests and my Department corresponds with IERVN on an ongoing basis and my officials have also met with them.
Scientific research to date has not established a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill health. Research is ongoing in relation to this issue and my Department will continue to review the findings of all new peer reviewed studies. In the absence of evidence of a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill-health, the approach adopted in Ireland is to minimise exposure in accordance with the 1999 recommendations of the European Community on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. These recommendations are based on the 1998 Guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation, ICNIRP, covering the frequency range from 0-300GHz.
The 1998 report of the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport on "Non-Ionising Microwave Radiation Emissions from Communication Masts" made a number of recommendations concerning planning and exempt developments, monitoring, public information, operators and health. With regard to the health recommendations, I am advised that Ireland complies with the 1999 EC recommendations on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. Telecommunication companies licensed to operate in Ireland are required to comply with these recommendations. The monitoring of emission levels from masts is a function of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. The national environmental health action plan, which is being finalised will include a section dealing with the issue of radiation — ionising and non-ionising.
The Deputy may wish to note that the joint committee concluded that the evidence available at the time did not indicate that emissions from telecommunication masts, within International Radiological Protection Association guidelines, were an unacceptable health hazard.
My Department is in regular contact with the Office of the Chief Technical Adviser, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, which represents Ireland's interests in the relevant international organisations — the World Health Organisation, the EU and the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety.
