Written answers

Wednesday, 1 March 2006

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Communications Masts

9:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has reviewed the operation of the ministerial directive in respect of exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission for communication masts; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this allows masts to be erected on the flood lights of clubs and effectively bypasses efforts by local authorities to only locate those masts in residential areas as a last resort. [8309/06]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Communications masts are not exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission. The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 do, however, set out certain exemptions in this area including, subject to certain conditions, the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure, the erection of an antenna support structure in place of an existing antenna support structure and the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, such as telegraph poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings. These regulations were the subject of extensive debate in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, and were subsequently approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources report on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts, in 2005 recommended, inter alia, that planning guidelines and planning exemptions be examined with a view to ensuring that no "electromagnetic emissions" or "radio frequency emissions" emitting equipment be permitted to be sited near health centres, schools or other sensitive sites such as playgrounds or pitches etc.

On receipt the joint committee's report, the Government, in September 2005, approved the establishment of an interdepartmental advisory committee and an expert group, working to the committee, on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is represented on the committee. It is understood that the committee expects to report to the Government before the end of 2006 on the appropriate action to be taken on foot of the recommendations contained in the report. In the interim period it is not proposed to amend the planning regulations.

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