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Press Release

Senator Mark Daly Calls for Debate on Mobile Phone Masts -
Notes Resemblance between the Developments in the Mobile Phone Industry and the Tobacco Industry

{8th April 3pm} Senator Mark Daly has called on the Minister for Communications to attend a sitting of the Seanad to discuss a new report on mobile phones and mobile phone masts. The report, by the European Environmental Agency, an institution of the European Commission, calls on Governments to apply the “precautionary principle” to policies regarding mobile phone technology. Senator Daly cited the reports likening of the lenient standards governing mobile phones industry to that allowed to tobacco manufacturers in the last century. Daly has called on this Government to “apply the highest possible standards to protect it’s citizens rather than lowest”.

Speaking today in the Seanad, Daly revealed that Ireland and the UK has among the highest emissions from mobile phone masts in the world. The Senator said that in the event of any doubt of the effect of mobile phones and masts the “precautionary principle” must be applied. Daly explained that the application of the precautionary principle in this case means that in the event of any doubt of the effects on public health of mobile phone masts, we should have the highest standards meaning the lowest emissions.

Daly pointed out that it took 57 years to have proof beyond all reasonable doubt that tobacco smoking causes cancer- he warned that we cannot wait another 57 years to better the standards regulating mobile phones and masts. 

Senator Daly declared a personal, vested interest in the issue of mobile phone masts stating that both his Aunt and Uncle died from cancer, their home and workplace were located within 50 metres from the mobile phone mast in Kenmare Garda Station, Co. Kerry.

The debate on mobile phones and masts will be scheduled this month in the Seanad pending the acceptance of Minister Eamon Ryan.

Notes to editors

See attached document from Lloyds of London. They will no longer insure the mobile phone industry against the against the health effects on consumers.
Professor Jacqueline Mc Glade, Executive Director of European Environmental Agency, issued an early warning on mobile phones, wi-fi and masts in September 2007. This report by  David Gee,  Emerging Issues & Scientific Liaisons,  entitled Radio Frequency Electro Magnetic Fields: EEA Commentary on the Evaluation of the Evidence, March 2008 an extension of this warning. (see www.eea.europa.eu)