Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the legislation in place in relation to the minimum proximity a telecommunications mast can be located to schools or houses; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the drafting of Planning and Development Regulations relating to mobile phone masts is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The erection of such masts is subject to normal planning regulations which are administered by the relevant Local Authority and subject to guidelines issued by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to Planning Authorities.

In 2005 the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources issued a report titled "Report on non-ionising radiation from mobile phone handsets and masts". On foot of the recommendations of the report that Department established an inter-departmental committee to examine the health effects, if any, of non-ionising radiation. I understand that this committee in their report concluded that no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radiofrequency signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters.