Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will give a categorical assurance in writing to residents living in the vicinity of Ardee Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 that the erection of telecommunications equipment on an OPW building by a company (details supplied) will not pose a health threat to the residents in the vicinity or the pupils of St. Mary's College, Rathmines and if, in the event of any damage done to the health of such persons, he and the Office of Public Works will accept responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1952/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The company referred to is a telecommunications consultancy company appointed by the Commissioners of Public Works in August 2003 to assess the suitability of the State property portfolio for use in the mobile telecommunications sector and to act in an advisory capacity to the commissioners in their dealings with mobile telecommunications operators. As part of this process, a licence to install equipment on Ardee House, Rathmines, has been granted to a mobile phone operator.

Under the terms of the licence, the operator is required to comply strictly with all relevant health and safety legislation, to operate within current standards and EU regulations and to adhere to the guidelines on exposure limits to emissions, issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. This compliance with health and safety legislation and so on required under the licence agreement also applies to any future relevant legislation or regulations and ICNIRP guidelines.