9 May 2006

Education

Mobile Phone Masts and Schools

Ciarán Cuffe ask the Minister for Education and Science whether she is concerned that the current regulations on siting of telephone masts do not prohibit masts being place in close proximity to schools: whether she or any of her Department officials have ever made representations to other Government Departments or statutory agencies on this issue and if she would comment on the issue?

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin): The Deputy will be aware that the drafting of Planning and Development Regulations is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the siting of individual mobile phone masts is a matter for the relevant planning authority.