Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
78 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that health and safety standards in the mobile telephone industry are keeping pace with technological advances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3666/05]
View answer273 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that health and safety standards and requirements are being fully adhered to throughout the mobile telephone industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3688/05]
View answer298 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that health and safety standards and requirements are being fully adhered to throughout the mobile telephone industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3962/05]
View answer316 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that health and safety standards in the mobile telephone industry are keeping pace with technological advances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3983/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 273, 298 and 316 together.
I have a dual track approach to this issue. First, Ireland participates in a number of international bodies which undertake detailed programmes of research into interactions between electromagnetic energy and people. The latest reports from this work were tabled at a meeting in Greece earlier this month. These reports conclude that, notwithstanding many years of investigation, no adverse health effects have been demonstrated to have been caused by electromagnetic energy emitted by telecommunication masts.
I appreciate that some people still maintain that these facilities are responsible for various symptoms and illnesses that they suffer. I sympathise with those people. The overwhelming weight of evidence is that facilities such as mobile base stations are not responsible for their condition. Focused research is continuing and my Department will monitor this area closely.
Second, Ireland also participates in the relevant bodies that monitor and set guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic energy from such installations. These bodies continually review the relevant research already referred to and periodically meet to decide whether the guidelines continue to be appropriate in the light of the most up-to-date reports. My Department has this year endorsed these guidelines as continuing to offer protection to the public. The guidelines are utilised as operating limits in the licences issued to the operators of telecommunications facilities and measurements carried out on behalf of ComReg, the telecommunications regulator, have shown total compliance with the limits. I am, therefore, advised that there is no reason for me to act in terms of new legislation regarding limiting radio frequency emissions from these installations.
Issues relating to the physical siting of telecommunication masts are not a matter for me but for the relevant local authorities under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
