Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is undertaking a fresh review of evidence surrounding the alleged negative environmental and health defects of aerials, particularly in sensitive residential areas; if this review is complete; if he has plans to publish the findings; and if he plans changes in either the planning or monitoring of such facilities. [11032/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2007 the Government published an Expert Group Report entitled "Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields". 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 in the short-term. The long-term intention is for one single agency to be responsible for this area and the Department is currently considering expanding the functions of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to take on that additional role.

This 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). The views in the Report are based, inter alia, on World Health Organisation and other expert studies and are accepted by the Government and Department accordingly. The report of the expert group is entirely based on, and is an editorial review of, all the major scientific reviews available worldwide on this matter at that time.

The Expert Group concluded that there is limited scientific evidence of adverse health effects from electromagnetic fields. The Report has, however, recommended that precautionary measures be used, where appropriate, and that Ireland continue to adopt and enforce the international guidelines developed by the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection and endorsed by the World Health Organisation and the European Union. This recommendation has also been accepted by Government. In relation to planning, the Department will initiate a review of its existing Guidelines on Telecom infrastructure following the publication by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of their new statement on broadband policy.