Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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644. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide assurances in relation to fears among the general public of health risks to humans as a result of high-power electricity lines and pylons and 400 kV lines being constructed through particular communities and areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46877/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The issue of the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields was the subject of an Expert Group Report commissioned by the Government and published in March 2007. This Report, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, is available for download on my Department's website, The Expert Group reported that the majority scientific opinion was that 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 (ICNIRP).

A substantial volume of research on this issue is being carried out internationally by regulatory bodies with responsibilities for monitoring the health effects of electromagnetic fields. The findings of this research are being monitored by the World Health Organisation's (WHO) EMF Project; it is expected that a report will issue in 2014. My Department will continue to monitor this and other scientific evidence as it is made available, and will consider any policy implications in this context.