David Norris (Independent)

I am not at all technologically gifted but I wish to make several comments on this motion. My first observation relates to the way in which these motions are generally framed. In this instance, this side of the House — in which I include myself although I am an Independent rather than Opposition Member — has raised an issue about which, as I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, is aware, there is considerable concern. I regularly receive agitated letters from people, both in my constituency and in other areas throughout the State, who are suddenly faced with the installation of a telephone mast or similar installation. Some people believe they are made seriously ill by these installations. Not all such claims may be correct because some ill effects may be psychosomatic. However, the Minister of State knows well that 1% of people are what is described as electro-sensitive and that there is no doubt such persons are in danger from these types of developments.

As usual, however, the Government has deleted the entire text of the Opposition motion after "Seanad Éireann" and proceeded to praise itself. This approach is ludicrous and entirely childish. Moreover, it is proof we are on a slide towards an election and that the Government is unlikely to take effective action on any matter. Instead, it praises itself for dealing with issues it has not addressed and for establishing a committee. The gentle persons in Government have done well. The Government expresses its concerns and pledges to tackle this issue head-on by establishing a committee. This is not good enough in view of the genuine concerns of those affected by this issue. The Taoiseach and the Minister are aware there is a considerable level of anxiety about this matter. So too is the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, who was picketed in Dalkey by a group of people who are not keen on this type of development .

The Green Party's Deputy Cuffe raised this issue in the Dáil last May. It is worrying that in his reply, the Minister, Deputy Roche, accepted that telephone companies enjoy certain planning exemptions. We must address this regrettable situation. If we are concerned about the welfare of citizens, it surely should be the case that where the public has concerns about new technologies, such developments should be subject to planning controls.

I have a personal and anecdotal basis for some of my concerns in this area. As a news addict, I carry a small transistor radio on which I listen to the news using a set of earphones. I often listen to it as I walk through Leinster House, as I did just now, hoping for news of further success for the Democrats in the United States elections. As I pass through the corridors, I invariably hear all types of whizzing noises, bleeps, expletives, pious ejaculations and so on emitting from various types of machines.

This building contains sophisticated communications systems, including computers and other devices the names of which I do not know. It is obvious they are emitting radiation and that we are passing through enormous fields of radiation. If the interference is enough to blast my small transistor radio off the airwaves as I pass through the corridors, there is no doubt it is going through our poor, limp bodies and may well be doing damage. This radiation is assumed not to be there because it is unseen but I am aware of it from the simple and not entirely scientific test of walking through the corridors of Leinster House as I listen to my transistor radio.

In the light of the concerns that have been expressed in this area, and the well advised interest taken by Fine Gael in particular, it is simply not sufficient to say a committee has been established to examine the issue. We already have the report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. What is the point of establishing committees of the Oireachtas if we do not trust them? The joint committee recommended that the planning guidelines to which I referred should be amended to ensure mobile telephone masts are not located near schools, playgrounds or health centres, which are peopled by vulnerable groups. However, I understand this has not been done. Perhaps it is another of this committee's reports that is being kicked into touch.

There was a criticism from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that the agency in charge of monitoring radiation does not even know the number of telecommunications masts. It does not suggest there is a high or active level of monitoring if the agency charged with monitoring does not even know how many masts exist.

A submission from the Irish Doctors' Environmental Association indicated that 1% of the population is electro-sensitive and, as a result, feels unwell when close to electricity or radiation. Does this group not have the right of protection? There must be a balance in respect of users. Unfortunately, one cannot set the clock back in terms of telephones and there is a demand which must be served. Unfortunately, the market prevails but the balance must be such as to include the welfare of people who are electro-sensitive.