Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
349 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Mobile Phone Radiation Warning Bill 2010; his plans to progress same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11682/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mobile Phone Radiation Warning Bill 2010 to which the Deputy Question refers was a Private Members Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann and did not proceed beyond that stage. I have no plans at present to bring forward legislation in this regard.
An Expert Group Report on the health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those generated by mobile phones, was commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled "Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields", is available for download on my Department's website (www.environ.ie). The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion to date is that no adverse short or long term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). However, a minority group of scientists believe otherwise and extensive international research on the issue continues to be coordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organisation. My Department monitors this research and key developments therein will inform any consideration of possible future policy interventions in this area.
