Vol. 496 No. 7
159 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding a directive to health boards in relation to telephone masts in view of the concern expressed by those worried that there may be a health risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24107/98]
I have no plans at present to issue a directive to health boards on this matter. Research in the area of electromagnetic radiation is carried out by bodies like the World Health Organisation, the International Radiation Protection Association and the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. I am advised that the general body of scientific evidence to date has not established substantive evidence of any adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phone masts.
Research is on-going and the World Health Organisation in 1996 launched a five year research programme, the International EMF Project, to assess the health and environmental aspects of electric and magnetic fields.
At EU level the Council of Health Ministers are currently considering a recommendation on the subject of public exposure to electromagnetic fields. This recommendation if adopted will establish a European wide standard which each member state will apply to its own country. The measure as currently drafted provides, inter alia, for a system of on-going monitoring of the ambient exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields from all sources including mobile phone masts.
Ireland supports this measure and I will make a further statement on the matter when the European measure has been finalised.
