Joint Committee on Public Enterpirse and Transport report on non-ionising microwave radiation emissions from communications mass. Item Type Report Authors Eastern Health Board (EHB) Download date 26/09/2021 03:53:09 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10147/266212 Find this and similar works at - http://www.lenus.ie/hse EASTERN HEALTH BOARD \ Report No. 60/1998 Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport Report 011 NOIl-Iollising Microwave Radiation Emissions from Communications Masts A select committee called the Select Committee on Public· Enterprise and Transport consisting of 14 members of DaB Eireann was appointed in April 1998 and was joined by a select committee from Seanad Eireann to fonn the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport. The Joint Committee was appointed to consider public' affairs administered by the Department of Public Enterprise and matters of policy for which the Minister is responsible. This report was prepared by the Joint Committee and published in December 1998. The Joint Committee heard oral evidence and received written submissions from interested parties. The report of the Joint Committee contains minutes of the evidence that it heard as well as copies of the written submissions received. It synopsises the key issues that arise around this issue and also provides a summary of the views and concerns of the public as determined from the evidence heard and submissions received. The Joint Committee also forms conclusions based on its deliberations upon which it bases a number of recommendations. In its primary conclusion, the joint committee considers that the evidence available at the present time does not indicate an unacceptable health hazard from microwave emissions within the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) guidelines (IRPA, 1998) and does not consider that the precautionary principle should be invoked at this time. It states that in the event of such evidence becoming available, remedial measures would be put in place. While the Committee states that a comprehensive, up-to-date mobile phone network is essential to continued economic prosperity, it concludes that public information and consultation has not been ideal and that this has given rise to much of the concern around . the issue in Ireland. This has lead to what the committee calls "unnecessary fears and anxiety and false beliefs". It also expressed concern over the application of the planning process aro~nd the erection of these masts. It considers that the maximum possible use of co-location (using one tower for a second, purpose e.g. garda telecommunication mast/mobile phone base station) be made. It also considers that a "demonstrable independent monitoring system" should be put in place and recognises the concerns of community groups around the involvement of a statt'i agency in this process. The Committee then makes a series of recommendations based on these conclusions which are grouped according to five headings. I. Planning and exempt developments 2. Monitoring 3. Health 4. Public Information 5. Operators Planning and exempt developments It recommends the introduction of mandatory statutory guidelines which would have regard to the health and the well-being of the population. These guidelines should include a number of specified requirements and should provide for substantial penalties in the events of being breached. The guidelines should also provide a mechanism for community groups to access information from local authorities. It also recommends the introduction of Cl code of practice lor mobile phone mast development which is exempted under the planning acts. Monitoring , The committee recommends the appointment of an independent body from 1999 onwards to monitorall communication masts and emissions that arise from them. It recommends that this monitoring should include sufficient numbers each year to ensure that all masts are monitored randomly in a five'year period. Tt also recommends that this body be available to make paid measurements at the request of local community groups. They recommend that a database of masts be established and that monitoring should include a count of numbers of masts in each local authority. Health The Joint Committee recommends that the Department of Health and Children should set up a panel of medical experts from whom three could be selected for medical assessment purposes by individuals who believe their health to be affected by masts. If the finding of their medical examination confirms this, the fee paid by the individual will be repaid. The Joint Committee also recommends that the Department of Health and Children should include a statement in its forthcoming National Environmental Action Plan which would set out the up-to-date position in relation to microwave radiation and human health. They further recommend that the Department should supply information on health risks for inclusion in the annual report of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. Public Information The Joint Committee recommends that the Department of Public Enterprise should put in place a suitable public information programme to inform the public on the facts concerning microwave emission from communications masts and their compliance with IRPA guidelines. Operators The Joint Committee recommends that the licence operators should adopt a policy of consultation with the public in the case of all developments which are exempt from planning permission. They also recommend that the operators examine the issue of indemnification with a view to its future provision. 17th December, 1998 Dr. Brian O'Herlihy, Director of Public Health. .j. TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport Report on N on-Ionising Microwave Radiation Emissions front Communication Masts 8AlLE ATHA CUATII ARNA fliOlLSIO AG OIFIG AN ISOL.ATIlAIR Le ceannacb direach on OIFIG DHtOLTA FOILSEACHAN RlALTAIS, TEACH SUN ALLIANCE, SRA.ID TIlEACH LAIGHEAN. BAILE ATHA CUATII 2. nO trid an bpost <> FOILSEACHAiN RlALTAlS. AN RANNOO POST-TRACHTA. 4·5 BarHAR FHEARCHAlR, BAlLE ATHA CLlATII 2. (Teil: 01 ·6613111 - fo-Iine 404014045; Fax: 01·4752760) nO tri aOD diolt6ir leabbar. DUBLIN PUBLISHED BY TIlE STA nONERY OFFICE To be purchased directly from Ibe GOVERNMENT PUBLlCAnONS SALE OFFICE, SUN AllIANCE HOUSE, MOLESWORTII STREET, DUBLIN 2. or by mail order from GOVERNMENT PUBLlCAnONS, POSTAL TRADE SECTION, 4 • 5 HARCOURT ROAD. DUBLIN 2. (Tel: 01 . 6613Jll - eXL 4040/4045; Fax: 01 • 4752760) . or through any bookseller. £10.00 Contents Members of the Joint Committee v Acknowledgements vu Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 Current Planning Position 3 Chapter 3 Current Health Position 5 Chapter 4 Current Monitoring of Licensed Operators 7 Chapter 5 Community Group Concerns 9 Chapter 6 Community Group Recommendations 11 Chapter 7 Views expressed by Mobile Phone Licence Operators 13 Chapter 8 Conclusions of Joint Committee 15 Chapter 9 Recommendations of Joint Committee 17 Proceedings of the Joint Committee 20 Appendices Appendix A Minutes of Evidence 21 Appendix B Written submissions from those invited to give evidence Appendix C Orders of Reference Proceedings of the Joint Committee Hi Members of the Joint Committee Deputy Sean Doherty, Chainnan Deputy Brendan Daly, Vice-Chainnan Deputy Liam Aylward Deputy Martin Brady Deputy Michael Creed Deputy Austin Currie Deputy Philip Hogan Deputy Liam Lawlor Deputy Jim Mitchell Deputy Noel O'Flynn Deputy Dick Roche Deputy Trevor Sargent Deputy Emmet Stagg Deputy Ivan Yates Senator Peter Callanan Senator Liam Fitzgerald Senator Des Hanafin Senator F ergus O'Dowd Senator Shane Ross v J Acknowledgements The Joint Committee appointed Deputy Noel O'Flynn as rapporteur for the purpose of this report. The Joint Committee wishes to express its appreciation for the invaluable assistance given by Deputy Noel O'Flynn in the preparation of the report. The Joint Committee also wishes to thank: the various individuals, organisations and groups, listed below, for the assistance they gave in the preparation of this report, by making written submissions and attending public meetings of the Joint Committee to give evidence to members and to discuss their written sub~issions with members. Individuals and organisations who'assisted the Committee: Mr. Stephen Brewer, Chief Executive, Eircell Mr. M.P. Byrne, Garda Commissioner Mr. Tim Dalton, Secretary General, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Ms. Gerardine Delorey, Carrick-on-Shannon Concerned Residents Ms. Etain Doyle, Director of Telecommunications Regulation Mr. John Doyle, CavanlMonaghan Anti-Mast Group Mr. Raymond Ellard, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Department of Health and Children Mr. Jimmy Farrelly, Secretary General, Department of the Environment and Local Government Mr. Liam Hamilton, Head of Telecommunications Planning Section, An Garda Siochana Mr. Seamus Hughes, Electricity Supply Board Mr. Fergal Kelly, Head of Technology, Eircell Mr. John Loughrey, Secretary General, Department of Public Enterprise Mr. Barry Maloney, Chief Executive, Esat Digifone Mr. Vincent Manning Mr. Brian McMahon, Cypress Grove Residents Association Dr. Tom McManus, Chief Technical Adviser, Department of Public Enterprise Ms. Sheila Meehan, Moville Radiation Protection Group Mr. Eamon Molloy, Principal Officer, Department of Public Enterprise Ms. Mary Moylan, Principal Officer, Department of the Environment and Local Government Ms. Colette O'Connell, Communities against Microwave Radiation Mr. Jerry O'Dwyer, Secretary