Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2006
125 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance if licences to install mobile phone base stations on public buildings have been granted to companies (details supplied) since December 2005, either directly through the Office of Public Works or indirectly through sub-licensing agreements with a company or other companies. [8595/06]
View answer126 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance, further to his recent offer to meet residents affected by the installation of new mobile phone base stations at Shankill, his views on whether to meet with parents of children attending schools (details supplied), who are affected by the continued presence of mobile phone base stations on a public building adjacent to the schools. [8596/06]
View answer127 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the licence under which companies (details supplied) have been granted permission to operate mobile phone base stations in Dublin 6. [8597/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 to 127, inclusive, together.
Two mobile phone companies have been granted a licence by the Commissioners of Public Works to install telecommunications equipment on the State-owned building, Ardee House, in Rathmines.
The Commissioners requested that the companies deactivate their equipment on Ardee House pending the report of the interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation. The companies refused to comply with this request and, provided they continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the licence agreement, the Commissioners have no contractual basis for insisting the equipment is deactivated. The companies have not been granted any further licences in respect of State-owned buildings since December 2005.
In the circumstances, I feel a meeting with local parents would not serve any useful purpose at this stage.
128 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the procedures in place to monitor mobile phone masts from a public health point of view; if these facilities are monitored, checked or inspected on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8395/06]
View answerMy Department maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to electromagnetic energy, also known as "non-ionising radiation", including those related to mobile phone base stations. Ireland has adopted European Union Council recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields — 0 Hz to 300 GHz, 1999/519/EC — and the guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP, and participates in the work of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, which sets standards in this area.
Mobile telephony equipment operators are subject to compliance with these limits in order to qualify for a licence from the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg conducts audit measurements to verify compliance with these limits.
My Department chairs an interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. This committee will provide advice to Government on the appropriate action to be taken on foot of the recommendations contained in the Joint Oireachtas Committee report on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts published in June 2005. This committee established and is overseeing the work of an expert group that will produce a scientific report on the health effects of electromagnetic fields.
