Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004
290 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the recommendations of a committee on non-ionising radiation emissions, issued on 12 November 1998, and with particular reference to elements 9.16, 9.17 and 9.18, have not been implemented; and his proposals to accept and deal with them. [15535/04]
View answerIn 1998 the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport published a report entitled Non-ionising Microwave Radiation Emissions from Communication Masts. It made a number of recommendations concerning planning and exempt developments, monitoring, public information, operators and health. Recommendations 9.15 — 9.18 refer to health issues.
With regard to 9.15, 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 here are required to comply with them. The monitoring of emission levels from masts is a function of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation.
To date scientific research has not established a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill health. In the absence of evidence of a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill health, the approach adopted here is to minimise exposure in accordance with the 1999 EC recommendations. They are based on the 1998 guidelines of the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation covering the frequency range from 0-300GHz. At present I have no plans to set up an expert panel as outlined in recommendation 9.16 of the report.
With regard to recommendation 9.17, a review group established under the aegis of my Department has prepared a draft national environmental health action plan entitled A Shared Vision for Quality of Life. It addresses the issue of radio frequency radiation. The draft plan has been referred to Departments and State agencies involved in environmental health for their comments and observations. EU and international developments will impact on the finalisation of the NEHAP. Two initiatives are the European Environment and Health Strategy-Action Plan 2004-2010 by the EU and Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe by the WHO. They are due to be completed by July and will allow the finalisation of NEHAP to progress.
With regard to item 9.18, research is ongoing on the issue. My Department will continue to review the findings of all new peer reviewed studies.
The Oireachtas 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.
