Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Feb 1999

Vol. 501 No. 2

Written Answers. - Employers' and Public Liability Insurance.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

262 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has employers' liability insurance to cover irradiation of staff issued with mobile phones in view of the findings of the effects from low intensity exposures in the Vienna EMF resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5638/99]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

263 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has public liability insurance which covers irradiation of staff and the general public from any mobile phone transmitters located on State property in view of the fact that, if the operating company ceases to exist, the liability may default to the landowner and in further view of the findings of the effects from low intensity exposures of the Vienna EMF resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5654/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

In accordance with public financial procedures, my Department has neither employers nor public liability insurance in relation to these matters. It is the practice for the Exchequer to carry its own insurance.

However, I, as Minister for Finance, am the owner of some of the State property on which mobile phone transmitters are located. Owners of other such properties are the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The State has an agreement with a mobile telephone provider in relation to access to and the use of certain Garda premises for the purpose of erecting certain telecommunications masts. The terms of this agreement include an indemnification of the State against all actions, proceedings, etc. arising from the operation of the mobile telephone service and the installation and operation of mobile telephony antennae and ancillary equipment on any Garda premises. Specifically the mobile telephone provider is required to take out public liability insurance, which in the opinion of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland is adequate to cover any claim arising from any action taken against the State in relation to the operation of the mobile telephone service and the installation and operation of mobile telephony antennae and ancillary equipment on any Garda premises.

With regard to the Vienna EMF resolution, I understand that this has proven to be controversial among the scientific community as the bulk of the research on the issue of non-ionising radiation has not shown any of the effects claimed by the resolution.