DUBLIN, Ireland—The debate about the possible health risks from mobile antennae in Ireland could be about to take a fresh twist with rumors that two government departments, the operators and the industry regulator ODTR are close to agreeing to a scheme whereby thousands of sites would be monitored each year.
The Department of the Environment and the Department of Public Enterprise have received numerous representations from local action groups voicing concern about the effects of emissions from mobile-phone masts. This has led in some cases to installations being damaged, and new sites are now subject to long planning delays.
The proposal would see the tests being paid for by the operators and carried out under the direction of the ODTR. While the annual cost of the program could exceed 1 million euros (US$878,000), the carriers would no doubt be happy to foot the bill if it led to a reduction in the planning application process.
