David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

This morning on the Order of Business I questioned the wisdom of allocating two hours to discuss a motion calling for greater transparency in this area. What political party would oppose the thrust of the motion? Even the turn-out indicates we will not spend two hours debating it because we all broadly agree with it. I agree with Senator Mark Daly that we need action and a Bill to follow through on what has been said. The Senator had a Bill on the Order Paper for some time and I do not understand the reason it was not dealt with.

I have a mobile phone and references were made to politicians using them. We all use them and they are here to stay. If we look at what a mobile phone can do today compared with even 12 months ago, the technology is moving so fast that there is no doubt the usage of mobile phones will increase in the next few years. We must be conscious, therefore, of the health concerns.

While the World Health Organization stated mobile phone use could cause cancer, it was putting the matter in the context that we should not scaremonger on the issue. I do not believe mobile phone use causes cancer. Many reports have been commissioned, some good and some from vested interests, but they conflict and give different information on the health implications of the use of mobile phones. In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified mobile phones for the first time in its gold standard rating system and rated them as being in Group 2B, meaning they could possibly cause cancer in humans. In Denmark there was a study of 420,000 people which showed no clear link between mobile phone use and cancer. We can have any number of reports and depending on what a person thinks, he or she can cite a report to support his or her position. We must note, however, the remarks of the WHO. If there is any risk mobile phone use can play a part in causing cancer, we must take the necessary precautions.

I support the motion and hope that at a later point the Minister will introduce legislation. Perhaps at that stage we could have a fuller discussion of the issues involved. Perhaps on issues such as this, however, on which there is cross-party agreement, such motions could be passed without debate. When Bills are then introduced-----