David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines or regulations that he has issued or intends to issue regarding erection of mobile telecommunication masts and the siting of antenna on these masts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25431/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In July 1996 my Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures. Their purpose was to assist planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, operators of mobile telecommunications services and the general public by providing guidance on dealing with telecommunications masts and base stations within the planning system. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources reported in June 2005 on Non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts. The Report made 11 recommendations, including a recommendation that planning guidelines and planning exemptions be examined with a view to ensuring that no equipment emitting electromagnetic or radio frequency emissions should be permitted to be sited near health centres, schools or other sensitive sites such as playgrounds or pitches etc. Following the report of the Joint Committee, the Government, in September 2005, approved the establishment of an inter-departmental advisory committee and an expert group, working to the committee, on the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The committee, on which my Department is represented, will provide advice to the Government on the appropriate action to be taken on foot of the recommendations contained in the report. The work of the committee and expert group is in train and I understand that the committee expects to report to the Government before the end of 2006. In the interim, it is not proposed to amend the current Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures.