Vol. 486 No. 6
236 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether his Department should not grant exempted development status to the erection of any mobile phone mast arising from the granting of a third mobile phone licence in view of the growing public concern regarding the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic waves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3434/98]
The erection of new mobile phone masts requires planning permission. However, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 1997, the addition of antennae for mobile telephony to an existing radio mast and the replacement of an existing mast by a licensed operator are, subject to certain criteria —restrictions on the size, number and type of mobile phone antenna and compliance with the licensed emission standards — exempted development. The health implications of exposure to electromagnetic non-ionising radiation are the responsibility of the Ministers for Health and Children and Public Enterprise. While I have, at present, no proposals to amend the planning regulations for mobile telephony, the matter will be kept under review in the light of advice from these Ministers.
