Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the condition of electro-sensitivity; if he has any plans to introduce legislation to stop telephone companies receiving exemptions when applying for planning for masts; if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who suffers severely from this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12991/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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In general, planning permission must be obtained for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. Under Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development for the purposes of the Planning Acts. These include -

· the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure;

· the erection of an antenna support structure in place of an existing antenna support structure, and

· the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, such as lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings (other than educational facilities, childcare facilities or hospitals).

The above exemptions are conditional, inter alia , on the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site not exceeding the limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation. In addition, in the case of the exemption for the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, there is a requirement on the statutory undertaker to notify the planning authority, in writing, of the proposed location of any such structure at least four weeks before the attachment of the antennae.

My Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures in 1996, which are intended to inform planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, the licensed providers of mobile telecommunications services and the public on how such developments are dealt with in the planning system, including, inter alia, the locational hierarchy in respect of the citing of radio masts in both larger urban centres and in smaller towns or villages and how free-standing masts and antennae should be designed and adapted for the specific location. Under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to have regard to such Ministerial Guidelines (which are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie), in the performance of their functions. I have no plans at present to amend the relevant Regulations or Guidelines.

The issue of potential health effects of mobile phone masts was comprehensively covered by the Expert Group Report, published by Government in March 2007, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which is available for download on the Department's website. The Expert Group Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by mobile phone base stations. It answers many of the health risk questions raised by the public in relation to the potential effects of electromagnetic fields. The Report and its recommendations were accepted by the Government and form the basis for current policy in this area.

The majority scientific opinion is that to date 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 continues to be co-ordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organisation.

Based on the conclusions of the Expert Group Report, there is no scientific basis or evidence of adverse health effects in children or adults as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This applies irrespective of the location of the phone mast.