Mobile phone companies using masts on Garda stations or other public buildings will have to meet the costs of any compensation claims taken against the State by persons who allege that their health has been damaged by electro-magnetic radiation.
The Dáil Committee of Public Accounts was told yesterday by chairman of the Office of Public Works Seán Benton that under an agreement with the State the mobile phone companies had to indemnify the Government against any future claims.
He said the companies also had to comply with existing health and safety directives and to meet any future measures that may be put in place.
There are mobile phone masts on about 120 Garda stations. The Government first entered into an agreement with Esat Digifone (now O2) in 1997. However last year the Office of Public Works (OPW) put in place a new deal to allow various mobile phone companies to place masts on Garda stations and other public buildings.
Socialist Party deputy Joe Higgins said the long-term effect of radiation generated by mobile phone masts was not yet known. He expressed concern that if dangers to health emerged in the future as a result of such masts that not only would public employees have been put at potential risk but also the State could be exposed to largescale liability for damages.
Secretary general of the Department of Justice Seán Aylward said that under the agreement with O2, gardaí received just over 1,000 mobile phones. He said that the first 450 phones, as well as call and rental charges, were provided free.
However the remainder has to be paid for by the State. The cost of calls and other charges are deducted from the rental payments for the masts due to the OPW from the phone company.
Mr Aylward said mobile phones were provided to all personnel of superintendent rank and upwards.
