Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
121. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the standards that apply to radiation emissions from telecommunication masts; if different standards apply where they are in close proximity to residential areas, and if the standards applied are updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no direct role or function in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy. This is primarily a matter for telecommunication operators, operating on a commercial basis and subject to relevant planning laws.
These operators are regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation, ComReg. ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions and its role includes the monitoring of compliance by authorised operators with terms and conditions, including with respect to non-ionising radiation levels.
The relevant guidelines are those of the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP (2020), and ComReg’s most recent report on its measuring of Non-Ionising Radiation levels at licensed transmitter sites can be found on its website www.comreg.ie.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently completed a study on Radiofrequency EMF in public spaces in Ireland. This report looked at typical levels of exposure that people experience in everyday environments in Ireland. All results obtained were low and well below current exposure limits recommended in by ICNIRP. This report is available on the EPA’s website at www.epa.ie.
