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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 6

Written Answers. - Electromagnetic Fields.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

165 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he intends to give the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland greater powers in order to tackle the problem of EMR fields which according to a recent study carried out in Sweden, are cancer promoters; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has no statutory functions at present in relation to non-ionising radiation, that is, non-nuclear radiation, and I have no plans to give it additional powers in relation to electromagnetic fields.

However, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health, is aware of some public concern in this area and is keeping all international research on the matter under continuous review. I would say, however, that to date the wider body of international research has not established a strong causal relationship between this form of radiation and cancer. All reports recommend more detailed additional research and close monitoring of results.

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