Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1302: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to implement the recommendations of the 2005 report by the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts. [2424/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Following a Government decision in 2005, an Inter-Departmental Committee was established to examine Government policy in relation to the possible health effects of non-ionising radiation and to advise on the appropriate action to be taken in regard to the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, contained in their report "Non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts". In accordance with the Government decision, the Inter-Departmental Committee set up an Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which published its report in 2007. The Expert Group consulted with industry, recognised national and international experts and the wider community in order to complete its report, which is aimed at the Government and the public, rather than the scientific community. The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by electric appliances in the home and from electricity pylons. It answers many of the health risk questions raised by the public in relation to the potential effects of electromagnetic fields, and is available for download on the Department's website (www.environ.ie). Following the publication of the report, responsibility for the health effects of electromagnetic fields was transferred by Government decision to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government where the Report and its recommendations are currently under consideration.