Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the planning permission required for companies wishing to install mobile telephone masts in urban areas; the exemptions available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6378/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In general, planning permission must be obtained for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. Under Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development for the purposes of the Planning Acts. These include:

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 lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings (other than educational facilities, childcare facilities or hospitals).

The exemptions are conditional on, among other things, the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site not exceeding the limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation. In addition, in the case of the exemption for the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, there is a requirement on the statutory undertaker to notify the planning authority, in writing, of the proposed location of any such structure at least 4 weeks before the attachment of the antennae.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the potential health risks stemming from mobile telephone masts in densely populated urban areas; the rules in place to safeguard health and safety surrounding these masts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6379/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The issue of potential health effects of mobile telephone masts was comprehensively covered by the Expert Group Report published by Government in March 2007 entitled "Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields", which is available for download from my Department's website (www.environ.ie/en/publications/).

The Expert Group Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by mobile phone base stations, by electrical appliances in the home and by electricity pylons. It provides a comprehensive review of existing scientific evidence drawing on World Health Organisation (WHO) and other expert studies. It answers many of the questions raised by the public in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields. Its findings have been accepted by Government.

The Report confirms the majority scientific opinion that to date no adverse short or long term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection. However, a minority group of scientists believe otherwise and extensive international research continues to be coordinated through bodies such as the WHO. This research is co-funded by the Irish Government.

The Department's current advice to those living in close proximity to mobile phone base stations, based on the findings of the Expert Group Report, is that there is no scientific basis for, or evidence of, adverse health effects in children or adults as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This applies irrespective of the location of the phone mast.

All telecommunications operators in Ireland are required to adhere to internationally established limits for limiting exposure of the public to electromagnetic emissions from their masts by the terms of their licences from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

The internationally established emission limits for non-ionising radiation are set by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), a body of independent scientists who have expertise in researching the possible adverse health effects of exposure to non-ionising radiation. ICNIRP has published a set of guidelines on limiting human exposure to electromagnetic fields. These guidelines are freely available from their website.

Over the last number of years, ComReg has conducted measurement surveys to verify compliance with these limits by licensees. The detailed measurement results from 600 sites have been published on their website. All measurements have so far shown total compliance with the ICNIRP limits.

Following the publication of the Expert Group Report, the Government decided that the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) will be extended to include responsibility for matters relating to the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The details of implementation of the new function for the RPII will be presented to Government for approval in due course. Until the transfer of function to the RPII takes place, my Department will continue to hold responsibility for these matters.