Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Finance if the mobile telephone transmitters located (details supplied) in Dublin 6 have been switched off pending the report from the interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation; the contractual changes necessary with the telecommunications companies operating these transmitters in order to shut them down; if monetary or other compensation has been offered or given to those telecommunications companies; when he expects to receive the report of the interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39428/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The telecommunications equipment installed on the State owned building referred to is still operational. The two mobile phone operators who have equipment installed on Ardee House have informed the Commissioners of Public Works that they do not intend to comply with the request to deactivate their equipment. The commissioners have requested the companies to reconsider their decision and will not grant any further licences in respect of State buildings to them pending the report of the interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Provided the companies are in compliance with the terms and conditions of their licence agreement, there is no contractual basis for the Commissioners of Public Works to insist that the equipment is deactivated. The question of paying compensation in any form to the companies has not arisen. The interdepartmental committee on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is being established by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The publication of the committee's report is a matter for that Department.