Vol. 522 No. 3
128 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, given to date to the possible adverse biological effects on children arising from the use of mobile phones; and the plans, if any, proposed to be taken by the Government. [18554/00]
I am advised that mobile phones in use here meet with the standards for exposure levels recommended by the EU for public exposure to non-ionising radiation emissions. The balance of scientific evidence currently available does not indicate the need for any special precautions. Mobile phone companies here are required to operate within radiation emission levels set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.
A report by an independent expert group on mobile phones and health was published recently in the United Kingdom. One of the areas looked at related to children's use of mobile phones. I have asked my Department's chief medical officer to examine the report and report back to me.
