Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will investigate the masts in Whitestown industrial estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, which are the source of huge concerns for the local community; the action open to them in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27901/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, has in the past audited emissions of non-ionising radiation from communications sites including masts. I will ask my officials to liaise with ComReg to arrange an audit of the site in question over the next month or so.

With regard to the action open to the local community, the physical siting of telecommunication masts is a matter for the relevant local authorities under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am advised that there is currently no scientific or medical evidence that emissions below the level of the internationally recognised guidelines from mobile telephone masts are injurious to health. Ireland has adopted European Union Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on "the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz", 1999/519/EC, and the guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP, and participates in the work of the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, which sets standards in this area. All licensed telecommunications operators in Ireland are required by the terms of their licences to observe the ICNIRP guidelines for limiting exposure of the public to electromagnetic emissions from their facilities.