Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after ''Seanad Éireann'' and substitute the following:

"recognising that:—

mobile telecommunications services play a pivotal role in the social and economic development of Ireland;

the advice from international expert scientific and medical bodies, including the World Health Organisation and the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation, ICNIRP, states that the consensus of the scientific and medical evidence is that there are no adverse health effects from exposures below the limits set by ICNIRP, endorsed by the European Union under Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on "the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)", (1999/519/EC) and adopted in Ireland;

commends the Government:

on addressing issues outlined in the Oireachtas joint committee report by establishing an interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic fields to advise the Government on appropriate actions in response to the Oireachtas joint committee's report and to examine Government policy; and

on ensuring there is continuing compliance with international guidelines on non-ionising radiation emissions from mobile telecommunications antennae."

I have some sympathy with the motion but, unfortunately, if it were followed to the letter, the probability would arise that masts could not be sited anywhere. Regardless of where a mast is located, it will inevitably be close to a domestic dwelling. That is the nature of our countryside and the manner in which people have provided their homes with a view to staying in rural areas. That said, given the way planners act regarding the building of houses in rural areas, perhaps there may not be a problem in siting masts in such areas in future.

In any debate in this area we must err on the side of caution as the health and well-being of our children are concerned. As Sir William Stewart said on radiation, it often takes a long time for such contamination to become obvious. Mobile telephone technology is still young and who knows what may be established through future long-term studies. For every expert there is a divergence of opinion. One medical expert will claim radiation is harmful, and will be supported in this by an engineer. Other professionals not only seem happy to promote mobile telephone use among the population but also seem content to use their own mobile telephones to the fullest extent possible.

Another international study, carried out by Dr. Roosli, stated the existing scientific knowledge is too limited to draw final conclusions on the health risks from exposure in the lower range. In other words, we do not yet know definitively whether non-ionising radiation is harmful; the jury is still out.

The term "radiation" is somewhat pejorative in that it is associated with illness, especially cancer. This particular dread may come from those films and documentaries made through the Cold War on the threat of nuclear fallout and the consequent widespread gamma radiation. While the word "radiation" strikes fear into people, it should not be forgotten that both light and heat are forms of radiation and in moderate quantities are not hazardous to health.

Many homes, probably a majority, have a source of radiation which they use regularly. No one is fearful of the simple microwave oven because it is used in a controlled and protected fashion. Wherever there is even a suggestion of risk from a particular source or procedure, control is of paramount importance and can be the difference between public acceptability and not.

In 2000 a UK independent expert group on mobile telephony produced a report on the possible effects of radio frequency signals, now known as the first Stewart report. This review of all scientific evidence to date did not find any definite adverse health aspects due to mobile telephone. It did not conclude that there are none either. The group felt that because of children's developing skulls and the likelihood they would have long lifetime exposure, they would be vulnerable to any as yet unknown health defects in adults. The group therefore recommended a precautionary approach to the use of mobile telephones by children.

I have expressed concerns in this regard in the past, with particular reference to the location of a mast in close proximity to St. Mary's national school on the outskirts of Waterford city. At the time, I said it was disappointing that Ballygunner GAA Club allowed this mast to be erected without consultation with the local residents or school. There is much cause for concern about radiation emissions from mobile telephone masts and until those fears are allayed by concrete scientific evidence, we should not site them close to schools or health centres.

In this instance, the mast was erected without planning permission, although this was subsequently granted by Waterford City Council. This decision is being appealed to An Bord Pleanála and we all must await the outcome of due process in this regard. I understand the mast was burned down for the second time last Friday, and I am glad the local action committee has dissociated itself from this wildcat criminal action. Nobody can condone this kind of behaviour by any individual or group no matter how genuine their motives or how fearful they might be for public health.

In June 2005, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources drew up a report on non-ionising radiation from mobile telephone handsets and masts. One of its recommendations was that such masts should not be sited near health centres, schools, or other sensitive sites such as playgrounds or playing pitches. The Santini report had recommended the distance involved should be 300 metres. Disappointingly, there has been no progress on this recommendation.

The Opposition motion proposes that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, should be empowered to carry out monitoring of the emissions from telecommunications masts and other installations that emit ionising and non-ionising radiation. The joint committee too was of the opinion that the RPII should have its role expanded to include the matter of non-ionising radiation. The committee also came to the logical conclusion that the expansion of the role of the RPII would have an impact on that organisation. It pointed out that the RPII does not have a developed or natural expertise in non-ionising radiation and that it would require additional staff to enable it carry out its expanded role. To address this, the joint committee made the recommendation that the RPII be appropriately staffed to accommodate its expanded role and that staff with relevant expertise working elsewhere in the Civil Service could be assigned, subject to the usual industrial relations protocols, to work in the institute.

It is essential we collect as much information as possible through independent, reliable sources. As we can see from the regular stock exchange dealings for the various mobile telephone services, it is a multi-billion euro industry and one which is unlikely to produce the type of information the legislators and public require and deserve if there is to be reasoned, responsible debate and necessary, if unpopular, decisions taken.

We should not lose sight either of the possible negative effects of the use of cordless telephones and wireless Internet access, although it is generally a personal decision on the part of users to avail of those services. We might also take into account in our quest for information the possible effect of the creation of wireless Internet zones of the type normally found in airport waiting lounges, some hotels and even in small coffee shops, mainly abroad but likely to extend to Ireland. We need to know also whether this technology is harmful, whether it equates in strength or effect to the mobile telephone technology and what its long-term effects might be.

We have a long road to travel in this debate but, for now, we must protect young and vulnerable people, while not stifling the growth or operation of what has become a vital accessory in modern Ireland. I am pleased the Government has established an interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic fields to advise on appropriate actions in response to the joint committee's report. I commend the Government's amendment to the House.