Written answers

Tuesday, 11 October 2005

Department of Health and Children

Telecommunications Masts

9:00 pm

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an investigation will be carried out conveying the health concerns of the local community in respect of the masts erected in Whitestown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27908/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has made inquiries of the HSE on the issue raised by the Deputy and has been advised that the HSE is not aware of any risk to public health from mobile phone masts in the Whitestown industrial estate area. The consensus of scientific literature to date regarding possible adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields, or EMF, exposure from mobile phones and their base stations is that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between such exposure and ill health. The World Health Organisation, WHO, has assessed the many reviews carried out in this area and has indicated that exposures below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in its 1998 guidelines do not produce any known adverse health effects. These guidelines are based on a careful analysis of all peer-reviewed scientific literature including thermal and non-thermal effects.

In 1999 the European Community introduced recommendations on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields, based on the ICNIRP guidelines. Ireland complies with these recommendations. The Commission for Communication Regulations (ComReg) monitors compliance with regard to telecommunication masts. I am advised that monitoring has taken place at Whitestown industrial estate in Tallaght business park and that the results conclude that emissions are within ICNIRP guidelines. Research in this area is ongoing.

The WHO has identified a need for further research to better assess possible health risks and has established the international electromagnetic fields (EMF) project. My Department will continue to monitor developments in relation to this issue.

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