Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. I urge him to give consideration to amending the appropriate Planning and Development Act to ensure that we would have in place clear and understandable guidelines to govern the erection of mobile telephone masts.

As a user of a mobile telephone, I would be the first to concede that with all other mobile telephone users I require a good mobile phone service and I demand good quality reception. As part of that equation it is necessary that mobile telephone masts be erected. We have now reached the stage where there are approximately 4,000 masts of various types around the country. I am concerned about the location of some masts. For example, I am concerned about masts being placed close to or adjoining schools, large housing estates and other community facilities. My concerns stems from the fact that notwithstanding all the international studies that are under way, we still have no clear proof regarding the health implications of mobile telephone masts. While those concerns are being examined and the jury is still out, we must be careful to ensure masts are only erected in areas where we can be confidently assured that they pose no threat to the health of citizens.

One of the issues that concerns me is that the various local authorities seem to have their own rules for the erection of mobile telephone masts. What is considered appropriate in one area, therefore, might be considered inappropriate in another. In a country as small as this, we need a national standard for adjudications on the proposed installations of masts. Our colleagues on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources have made certain recommendations in this regard. In particular, they demand that rules and regulations be established in regard to the erection of masts and the monitoring of emissions.

Arising from the joint committee's report, the Government set up an interdepartmental advisory committee to examine this issue. I understand this committee has been in place since September 2005. We need results from the committee and, subsequently, action from the Government. In the meantime, while the advisory committee is making further investigations and arriving at some conclusion, no further permissions should be granted for the erection of masts in any location.

In many communities, applications have already been lodged for the erection of telephone masts. Many parents have expressed serious concerns about the health implications of such installations. We do not yet have all the answers and we must proceed with care and caution. The Minister of State is aware of the precautionary principle that operates at European level. This provides that where there is any doubt, one should proceed with great caution. While the Government awaits the report of its interdepartmental advisory committee, we should put a halt to any further planning decisions.

I recognise the need for telecommunications standards and infrastructure of the highest quality. We must, however, be cautious in regard to where these telephone masts are placed. In the case of applications for the erection of masts close to or adjoining schools, community centres, sports fields and large housing estates, the amber light at least must start flashing. I ask the Minister of State to take this issue on board. Given that the interdepartmental committee has been examining this issue since last September, he must ensure it produces a report and that action is taken. We must be able to provide satisfactory answers to the many communities throughout the country who are concerned about this situation.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to address the House on this important issue. I begin by emphasising that planning permission is generally required for communications masts. There is great confusion in this area, with many people mistakenly believing masts are exempt from the need to obtain planning permission. Like most security related developments, masts used for the purposes of or in connection with the operations of the Garda Síochána are not required to obtain planning permission. However, an alternative public consultation procedure is provided for in such cases under section 181 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

My Department published guidelines for planning authorities on telecommunications antennae and support structures in 1996. These guidelines set out a locational hierarchy in regard to the siting of radio masts and advise the planning authorities that planning permission for free-standing masts within or in the immediate surrounds of smaller towns or villages should only be given as a last resort. In the vicinity of larger towns and in city suburbs, the guidelines state that operators should endeavour to locate them in industrial estates or in industrially zoned land. The guidelines further advise that only as a last resort and if all the alternatives are unavailable or unsuitable should free-standing masts be located in a residential area or beside schools.

There are also certain exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission for antennae. These exemptions are all clearly set out in the planning and development regulations 2001. These exemptions were the subject of extensive discussion in the House when those regulations were debated. The exemptions were endorsed by the Oireachtas in the context of the demand for additional antennae, which arises from the expectation of the public that it be possible to use mobile telephones at any time and anywhere.

One of these exemptions is the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure or mast. This exemption is subject to several limitations. An important condition is that the attachment of the antennae must not result in the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site exceeding limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. The commission will monitor emissions, particularly where requested to do so by any concerned member of the public.

Another exemption is the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, including public or commercial buildings, telegraph poles and electricity pylons. Again, this exemption is subject to certain limitations. Educational facilities, child care facilities and hospitals are excluded. The limitation as to the field strength of the emissions again applies.

As regards health concerns, it is the policy of my Department and the Government, as stated in the guidelines, to keep abreast of the best available information and to follow best practice in ensuring that Irish telecommunications companies operate within internationally recognised safe limits in regard to exposure to non-ionising radiation. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, in its report on non-ionising radiation from mobile telephone handsets and masts of June 2005, recommended, among other points, that planning guidelines and exemptions be examined with a view to ensuring that no equipment for emitting electromagnetic emissions or radio frequency emissions be permitted to be sited near health centres, schools or other sensitive sites such as playgrounds, sports pitches and so on.

My Department is represented on an interdepartmental advisory committee which is working on the appropriate response to the findings of the joint committee. I understand the advisory committee expects to report to the Government before the end of 2006. When we have its report and recommendations, we will consider appropriate further action. I understand the concerns of which Senator Bradford has spoken. There seem to be different views from various experts and medical people on the risks that may exist. There are several contentious installations in my constituency, where the Fine Gael candidate is a doctor. There seem to be many doctors in Fine Gael these days for some reason.

John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)
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Fine Gael is a popular party of which to be a member.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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We will not consider why so many doctors seem to be lining up to join the party. Perhaps they believe there is better protection for them in the party in terms of their contracts.

I have heard some medical experts express the view that we are at greater risk from a television than a mobile telephone mast, while others claim the latter are extremely dangerous. I accept there is concern in this regard and that it is desirable to be able to allay that concern. We must await the outcome of the investigations of the interdepartmental advisory committee.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He said that the interdepartmental committee hopes to report by the end of this year. We should insist that it does so because it will have been investigating this issue for almost 15 months at that stage. Would the Minister of State not agree that until that report is in and the Government's interdepartmental committee has reported on the joint Oireachtas report we should instruct local authorities not to make further decisions on planning applications?

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The planning process is a formal legal process containing a great deal of legislation. I do not think Government could, even if it so wished, direct that should be set aside. The Senator alluded to inconsistencies in how different local authorities reach decisions. This may be due to different development plans but the Government does not tend to issue instructions in this regard. Interfering with the planning process would require primary legislation, though I understand the Senator's point and will relay it to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, who is responsible for planning issues.