(Dublin West): Due to time constraints, I will state the points very starkly. Allowing the proliferation of masts in Dublin and throughout the country for the mobile phone system is an act of sheer irresponsibility in view of the serious questions which have been raised about the health effect of microwave radiation emitted from these masts. There is huge concern about this question in nearly every county. In recent days a delegation, mainly from County Cavan but also from other counties, protested vigorously outside the Dáil against the imposition of further masts in their areas.
ESAT Digifone and Eircell, the two main companies involved, quote safety standards for microwave radiation levels which are hopelessly out of date and based on immediate post-World War II standards which were set on the criterion that they did not cause burns and heat human tissue — the so called thermal effect. The athermal effect of microwave radiation, the unseen effect, was unknown at that time but evidence has been accumulated on the dangers microwave radiation represents in its athermal effects on the human body.
The International Radiation Protection Association which was to set safe limits took its standards from that time. It was from that group that the current International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection has emerged. The International Radiation Protection Association was closely involved with the military and industrial complex and was saturated with that viewpoint and philosophy.
On the mobile phone itself, an illuminating article in The Sunday Times on 21 September stated that the most recent research shows radiation emitted by mobile phones has caused loss of concentration and lapses in short-term memory. It went on to describe the research carried out and the dangers. Research published at a conference on mobile phone safety held in Brussels showed that microwave radiation of the type emitted by mobile phones severely, although temporarily, impaired the ability of rats to learn simple tasks. People might ask if it does that to rats, what would it do to politicians? It is a severe warning which should be taken on board immediately.
Fingal County Council, of which I am a member, has received many applications for permission to erect telecommunications masts and has received documents from an agency of Forbairt essentially backing up the safety standards of ESAT and Eircell. Forbairt is not an independent body. There is a conflict of interest in that its aim is to support Irish and overseas firms to develop all sectors, including technology, and to make a profit. It is wrong to charge a State company, which is supposedly independent on the mobile phone controversy, with those aims.
Warnings have been given of which successive Governments have been aware. Dr. Tom McManus, a former health adviser to the Minister with responsibility for communications, has been ignored. In 1993 he said there was convincing evidence that electromagnetic fields can affect biological tissue and especially the behaviour of living cells under laboratory conditions. He went on to say that the policy of prudent avoidance and least regret is being undertaken in different countries. Those policies are being blatantly flouted with the proliferation of these masts. The weakness of the guidelines issued by the Minister for the Environment last year makes them absolutely useless. We now have a proliferation of masts in the heart of residential communities. For example, the deal done with the Garda behind the backs of the people to allow these antennae in the heart of residential communities is quite shameful.
Asbestosis is a horrible, crippling disease which destroyed a generation of workers. It was years before its deadly effects became known. I am warning that microwave radiation is potentially similar and an even more insidious threat. In case I am accused of scaremongering, as I have been by colleagues of the Minister on the county council, can the Minister say she is certain we will not find in the future that terrible damage, which is as yet unseen, is being done which could take a great toll on people's lives and health?
The Government should urgently publish new guidelines, which include prudent avoidance and least regret as fundamentals, on where these masts can be located. Those guidelines should also deal with the environmental concerns in regard to how these masts can destroy the landscape.
