Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 257: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will urgently investigate the health and safety concerns regarding the mobile phone mast overlooking the junior infants classrooms at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will raise with the Department of Health and Children teachers' and parents' serious misgivings regarding this mast. [3465/05]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 259: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if mobile phone masts are allowed in or on school buildings; the procedures and conditions for allowing masts on schools; the number of schools in the State which have mobile phone masts; and if there are any risks to pupils and staff. [3792/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together.

I am not aware of any national or international health advisory authority which has recommended that the siting of telecommunications masts should not result in direct beam falling on school property. It may be that some paper somewhere may have made such a recommendation — if the Deputy can identify any such work I shall have my experts study it and I will make a further statement.

If any of the relevant international bodies to which Ireland belongs were to make such a recommendation, my Department would have to consider an appropriate response; however to date no such recommendation has been made and therefore no such recommendation is being ignored in this State. This is because, in the continuing opinion of all the relevant international bodies, radiofrequency fields around such masts are not considered a health risk.

The Deputy might like to be appraised of a report in The London Times dated 13 November 2004 which records a Court of Appeal decision that mobile phone masts do not pose a risk to public health which would justify a ban on positioning them near schools.

The siting of individual mobile phone masts is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and my Department has no function in the matter. I do, however, acknowledge that real fears exist among certain parts of the community about the health impacts of these masts. I am sympathetic and understanding of these fears and the concerns that underpin them. However, I must point out that I have no scientific data which as yet supports the contention that these masts damage human health.