Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to a recent report in Britain into mobile phone use which indicates that the health risks of mobile phones have been underestimated by most scientists; if, in view of this report, he is considering issuing specific instructions on the health risks attached to mobile phones; if he plans to initiate any such investigation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3592/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to non-ionising radiation, including mobile telephony. The Department's involvement in matters concerning the health effects of non-ionising radiation, which includes radio frequency emissions from mobile phone base stations, is guided by advice from national and international health authorities which include the World Health Organisation of the United Nations.

Mobile telephones are in use internationally. The limits for non-ionising radiation are global limits established internationally by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. There is no scientific evidence to date that exposure up to these limits is damaging to health. Accordingly, I do not propose at this time to issue specific instructions on the health risks attached to mobile phones or to initiate such an investigation. My Department will continue to liase with the appropriate international bodies to ensure that the standards operating in Ireland comply with the ICNIRP guidelines.