Friday 22 June 2001
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment, in respect of the siting of a telecommunications mast at the rear of the police station in Comber, to detail (a) whether a planning application has been received, (b) if any objections to this application have been received and (c) what steps he is taking to alleviate local concerns.

(AQW 3136/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): [holding answer 8 June 2001]: A prior approval application for the erection of a telecommunications mast and ancillary equipment on land at BT Exchange, Killinchy Street, Comber for BT Cellnet, was received on 13 February 2001.

A total of 73 objections were received to the proposal, the vast majority of which related to health concerns.

This application was not processed within the statutory 42-day time limit set down under prior approval regulations, in this case, 27 March 2001. This resulted in a deemed approval being granted for the proposal even though the opinion of the Planning Service was to refuse. The Divisional Planning Manager wrote to BT Cellnet’s agents on 3 April 2001 setting out this position.

I understand that the mast has not been erected. Officials met with the operators and their agents on 19 June 2001 to seek a resolution to this matter. At that meeting, officials explained the strength of public opposition to the mast, and confirmed that the opinion of the Department was that prior approval should have been refused in this instance.

The operators were sympathetic to the points being made. They in turn stressed the need for providing a service for their customers in the area, but agreed to look at alternative means for providing this service. They promised to return to officials when they had considered the matter further.

I will of course keep you updated on progress in this matter.

Clearly, mistakes have been made in this case, and I have passed on my concerns to officials. Urgent action has been taken to ensure that these deadlines are not missed in future. New procedures have been introduced, which include earlier decision-making, and more use of fax and recorded delivery.

You will be aware of the Executive Committee’s decision on 14 June 2001 to abolish the prior approval system for telecommunications masts and to subject them to full planning control. I would hope to introduce the necessary amending legislation in the Assembly in the autumn.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail (a) his plans to ensure that all election posters are removed after the election and (b) what penalties are in place for those who fail to comply with such directions.

(AQW 3215/00)

Mr Foster: My Department has recently written to all political parties advising of the statutory Regulations for the display of election posters, including the requirement that they must be removed within 14 days of the close of the relevant poll. Following the effective date, which on this occasion is 21 June 2001, political parties will be reminded about their responsibilities in relation to election posters and the position will be monitored to ensure that all posters are removed. Election candidates normally co-operate fully with my Department in this matter.

Failure to comply with the legislation governing the removal of election posters may result in enforcement action against the party or parties concerned, which could result in court action and the imposition of a fine of up to £1,000.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment what provision the Planning Service makes when considering planning applications for new housing developments that are adjacent or in close proximity to main power lines and pylons, particularly at Cross Green, Carrickfergus.

(AQW 3256/00)

Mr Foster: Although it does not have a statutory duty to do so, where appropriate, the Planning Service consults with the Environmental Health Office of the relevant district council in relation to the public safety and health implications of proposed residential development close to main power lines and pylons. The Planning Service takes any comments received into account in its determination of such planning applications.

The Planning Service consulted Carrickfergus Borough Council’s Environmental Health Office in relation to the Cross Green development at Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus. No objections were raised to the proposed development. Planning permission subsequently issued on 30 September 1997.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to detail the number of planning applications in the Ards Borough Council area in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and the average timescale for processing the application.

(AQW 3279/00)

Mr Foster: Details of the number of planning applications received for the Ards Borough Council area in the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01, and the average timescale for processing these applications are set out below.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any plans he has to improve the quality of beaches around Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3286/00)

Mr Foster: My Department’s responsibility in relation to beaches is to identify and monitor bathing waters in Northern Ireland that come within the scope of the EC Bathing Water Directive.

Northern Ireland already has an excellent record of compliance with the Directive. Compliance rates are higher than in any other region of the UK. In 2000 all 16 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland met both the mandatory and the guideline standards of the Directive. Of these, seven were awarded a European Blue Flag. In administering the Blue Flag Scheme, the Tidy Northern Ireland Group takes account of other criteria such as beach facilities, cleanliness and safety. However, there is no room for complacency and my Department will continue to work to minimise pollution from agricultural and sewage sources.

The European Commission has recently issued a paper on possible revisions to the Bathing Water Directive. My Department is consulting District Councils and other interested groups in Northern Ireland about the Commission’s proposals.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to give his assessment of the European Blue Flag Awards for beach cleanliness in Northern Ireland; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3287/00)

Mr Foster: I am delighted to confirm that seven beaches in Northern Ireland were awarded the coveted Blue Flag award this year. These sites were:

• Benone Strand, Co. Londonderry
• Cranfield West, Co. Down
• Millisle Lagoon, Co. Down
• Portrush East Strand, Co. Antrim
• Portrush West Strand, Co. Antrim
• Portstewart Strand, Co. Londonderry and
• Tyrella, Co. Down

These beaches received awards last year but, unfortunately, Ballycastle, which also achieved the award last year, was not listed for 2001.

Blue Flags are awarded only when a beach conforms to strict criteria based on the quality of the water, management of the beach, and provision of information.

A full description of the criteria is available on the Tidy Britain Group web site, www.blueflag.org.

The Blue Flag scheme recognises authorities for their good stewardship of beaches and I would encourage all local councils to participate in the scheme and build on our recent successes.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment to detail any plans he has to upgrade the old town walls of Carrickfergus.

(AQW 3300/00)

Mr Foster: The part of the old town walls which is in the Department of Environment’s care stretches from St Bride’s car park clockwise, ending at Joymount.

Conservation work has been carried out on this section in the past and it is in good condition.

There is some concern over the condition of some sections of the wall not in the care of my Department. These sections are scheduled for protection under Article 3 of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (N Ireland) Order 1995. Discussions have taken place with Carrickfergus Borough Council about the extent and implementation of repairs to the walls within its ownership.

It is hoped that Council will carry out the work with guidance from EHS and in the terms specified by the conditions of a Scheduled Monuments Consent which, on application by the Council, would be issued by the Department under Articles 4 and 5 of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995.

New site notices, explaining the history and features of the walls, will be provided later this year.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to AQW 3053/00, to detail the segments of the old town walls which are the property of Carrickfergus Borough Council.

(AQW 3303/00)

Mr Foster: The part of Carrickfergus old town walls which is the property of Carrickfergus Borough Council stretches from St Bride’s car park gateway anticlockwise to the junction of Albert Road and Lancasterian Street, except for Northgate.

The Northgate and excavated wall footings in Delaney Green are in the care of the Department of the Environment.

The details of ownership are recorded on maps which can be inspected at the Monuments and Buildings Record, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of the Environment to detail what action has been taken to ensure effective consultation in respect of the drawing up of areas of townscape character, in general, and North Down in particular; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1627/00)

Mr Foster: All future areas of townscape character will, where appropriate, be designated within development plans. Consultation will take place at various stages of the plan process, and opportunities will be provided for local communities to participate in this process, through public meetings. In addition, following publication of a draft plan, there will be opportunity to make representations on it for consideration by the Planning Appeals Commission, an independent body, prior to final plan adoption.

The North Down Borough Council Area will be covered by the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, on which work commenced in January of this year. As part of the plan preparation process, work is underway to determine the appropriateness of existing areas of townscape character boundaries. This will consider if new areas of townscape character should be designated, and consider the need for appropriate local policies and guidance for such areas, for inclusion in the plan. These considerations will be made in accordance with my Department’s statutory consultation obligations and also the general approach to public participation which I have outlined.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment to detail when the telecommunications mast at Jerrettspass will be demolished; and to make a statement.

(AQW 3407/00)

Mr Foster: I understand that officials have written to you explaining that Crown Castle, the agents in this case, have written to us confirming their intention to replace the mast once they have secured alternative coverage provisions. It was also explained that there could be some delay in implementing this decision to allow them to complete a technical appraisal of their operations. They hope to minimise this.

Given this position, I am unable to state exactly when the mast will be demolished. However, I would hope that there will not be an undue delay. My officials will of course continue to monitor the situation.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment to detail when he will publish his response to the consultation document on mobile telecommunications masts and the Stewart Report; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1609/00)

Mr Foster: As I stated in my reply to the oral question from the Member for Upper Bann, my Department issued a consultation paper on 10 November 2000, seeking views on possible changes to planning legislation for the control of development by licensed telecommunications code system operators.

As the Member may know, the original date for responses to the consultation paper was 16 January 2001. The Environment Committee requested an extension of time to consider the issue and the Committee provided its response on 5 April 2001.

I brought the outcome of the consultation paper to the attention of the Executive Committee and after discussion on 14 June 2001, the Committee decided that the best way forward was for full planning permission procedures to be applied for telecommunications masts.

I have asked my officials to consider what legislation is necessary to implement the Executive Committee’s decision, and I expect to be able to introduce this legislation in the autumn.

Mr Attwood asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the performance targets which have been set for the Rate Collection Agency (RCA) in 2001-02.

(AQW 3296/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): For 2001-02 the following performance targets have been set for the RCA.

To collect 98% (or the 2000-01 outturn if higher) of a forecast £660 million Gross Collectable Rate (excluding Late Assessments) by 31 March 2002.

To achieve a forecast unit cost of £11.61 for collecting rates per hereditament, excluding development costs for the Rates in the Millennium (RIM) and ONE Projects, representing a 1% improvement in real terms on 2000-01.

To achieve a forecast unit cost of £30.52 for processing Housing Benefit cases, excluding development costs for the RIM and ONE Projects, representing a 1% improvement in real terms on 2000-01.

• To accurately calculate and advise District Councils of the Actual Penny Product outturn for 2000-01 by 30 November 2001.
• To process 98% of Housing Benefit applications free from error.
• To achieve an average turnaround time for processing regular, non-annual Housing Benefit applications of 28 days.
• To issue all eligible rate refunds within 14 working days of being identified as a rate refund.
• To achieve, by 31 March 2002, an overall rating for service provision of "satisfied" or above from at least 85% of respondents.

• To live within budget allocations for 2001-02.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the cost of vandalism to Fire Service property and machinery in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3234/00)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Ms de Brún): The cost of repairing Fire Authority property damaged by acts of vandalism over the past five years is as set out below.

The cost of repairing vehicle damage is not available. Most damage to vehicles is caused by incidents of stone throwing and it is therefore not practical to access the cost of each incident. The frequency of these attacks in some areas does, however, mean that general vehicle refurbishment is required sooner than would normally be the case.

Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos costas cóirithe sealúchas an Údaráis Dóiteáin a ndearnadh damáiste air le cúig bliana anuas de dheasca creachadóireachta.

Níl an costas ar dheisiú damáiste ar fheithiclí ar fáil. Rinneadh an chuid is mó den damáiste ar fheithiclí mar gheall ar eachtraí amhail caitheamh cloch, níl sé praiticiúil costas gach eachtra a fháil. Ciallaíonn minicíocht na n-ionsaithe seo i roinnt ceantar áfach go mbíonn athdheisiú ginearálta feithiclí de dhíth níos luaithe ná mar a bheadh sé de dhíth de ghnáth.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps she is taking to establish a full-time Fire Service for the constituency of East Antrim.

(AQW 3235/00)

Ms de Brún: The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade maintains a rolling review of Standards of Fire Cover and the associated provision of Fire Service firefighting resources.

The East Antrim area is one of the areas that the Fire Brigade keeps under particular review due to the large amount of development and infrastructure in some of the constituency towns. This particularly applies to the Retained (Part time) Fire Stations located in Carrickfergus and Larne. Both Stations are very busy having attended 887 and 577 calls respectively during 2000. Home Office Standards of Fire Cover are still being met in over 90% of occasions.

However, the Fire Brigade considers that over 600 calls per year is excessive for Retained Stations and will present a report later this year giving a strategic overview of the developing fire cover needs for the next 10 years.

Coinníonn Briogáid Dóiteáin Thuaisceart Éireann athbhreithniú leanúnach ar Chaighdeáin Chumhdach Dóiteáin agus acmhainní múchta tine na Seirbhíse Dóiteáin leo.

Is é ceantar Aontroma Thoir ceann de na ceantair a choinníonn an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin faoi athbhreithniú áirithe mar gheall ar an mhéid mhór forbartha agus bonneagair déanta i roinnt toghbhailte. Baineann seo go háirithe leis na Stáisiúin Dóiteáin (Pháirtaimseartha) Choinneáilte suite i gCarraig Fhearghais agus i Latharna. Tá an dá stáisiún araon iontach gnóthach mar gur fhreagair siad ar 887 agus ar 577 scairt faoi seach le linn 2000. Tá Caighdeáin Trealaimh Dóiteáin na hOifige Baile á gcomhlíonadh go fóill i mbreis agus 90% de na huaireanta.

Síleann an Bhriogáid Dóiteáin áfach go bhfuil 600 scairt in aghaidh na bliana iomarcach do Stáisiúin Choinneáilte agus tabharfaidh sí tuairisc níos moille i mbliana ag déanamh léirmheasa straitéisigh ar riachtanais fhorbartha threalamh dóiteáin do na 10 mbliana seo chugainn.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the number of attacks on Fire Service personnel in each of the last five years.

(AQW 3236/00)

Ms de Brún: The number of incidents which involved hostilities towards Fire Service personnel in each of the last three years is as follows.

Records for the previous two years are not available.

Seo a leanas líon na n-eachtraí ina a thig le nochtadh do raonta leictreamhaighnéadacha tionchar a bheith aige ar fhorbairt ailse nó nach dtig.

Níl cáipéisí don dá bhliain seo a chuaigh thart ar fáil.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail what steps she is taking to protect Fire Service personnel from attack whilst on duty.

(AQW 3237/00)

Ms de Brún: The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade takes many steps to protect Fire Service personnel from attack whilst on duty. Firefighters are issued with personal protective equipment, including tunics and overtrousers, which are fire-retardant, a helmet fitted with a visor, gloves and steel toe-capped boots.

Fire appliances are fitted with armoured glass and sliding protective screens for the windshields, in addition to internal door locks and locks on the external lockers.

Every firefighter receives extensive training on how to react in a hostile situation and every Incident Commander receives training on dealing with incidents involving civil disturbance. Incident Commanders will also carry out Dynamic Risk Assessment of every incident attended and will not expose firefighters to unnecessary danger in a hostile or civil disturbance incident.

There are regular liaison meetings, at local level, between the Brigade and representatives of the community in an effort to reduce attacks of Fire Service personnel.

Déanann Briogáid Dóiteáin Thuaisceart Éireann cuid mhór beart lena foireann Seirbhíse Dóiteáin a chosaint ó ionsaithe agus iad ar dualgas. Tugtar trealamh cosanta pearsanta don lucht múchta tinte, ina measc tá tuineacha, forbhrístí atá dófhriotaíoch, clogad le scáthlán air, miotóga agus buataisí cruach-chaipíneacha.

Tá fearais dóiteáin gléasta le gloiní armúrtha agus le scáileáin chosanta shleamhnáin do na gaothscáthanna, chomh maith le glais inmheánacha dorais agus glais ar na taisceadáin eachtracha.

Faigheann gach trodaí tine oiliúint chuimsitheach ar an dóigh le freagairt ar staid naimhdeach agus faigheann gach Ceannasaí Eachtra oiliúint ar an dóigh le déileáil le heachtraí mar a bhfuil griolsa cathartha. Déanfaidh Ceannasaithe Eachtra Measúnú Bríomhar ar Bhaol gach eachtra a ndeachthas chaige agus ní chuirfidh sé trodaithe tine i mbaol neamhriachtanach in eachtra naimhdeach nó griolsa chathartha.

Bíonn cruinnithe rialta comhoibrithe ann, ag leibhéal áitiúil, idir an Bhriogáid agus ionadaithe an phobail le hiarracht a dhéanamh ionsaithe ar an fhoireann Seirbhíse Dóiteáin a laghdú.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to (a) give her assessment of the impact on the reduction of nursing-home beds and (b) state if she plans to increase funding to address this situation.

(AQW 3239/00)

Ms de Brún: In my reply to AQW 574/00, I gave details of the numbers of private nursing-home beds in each Board area in each of the last three years. This information demonstrates that whilst there has been a reduction in private nursing-home beds in the Eastern and Northern Board areas in that period, there has been an increase in such beds in the Southern and Western Board areas.

Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts have operational responsibility for the assessment of the need for nursing-home care in their areas and are constantly reviewing the beds available against the assessment of need.

I am aware that the private nursing-home sector, like other providers, is under financial pressure and I have already indicated that I am sympathetic to the case made for increased funding. It was for this reason that with my Department’s approval Health and Social Services Boards explored the degree to which an above inflationary increase in fees was affordable for 2001-02. The increase in fees between 3·5% and 5·0% for 2001󈝮 will help the private sector, as will the further £2 million made available for 230 additional community care places in my budget.

I mo fhreagra ar AQW 574/00, thug mé sonraí ar líon na leapacha i dtithe príobháideacha altranais i ngach ceantar Boird in achan bhliain de na trí bliana anuas. Léiríonn an t-eolas seo go raibh méadú sna leapacha seo i gceantair Bhoird an Deiscirt agus an Iarthair cé go raibh laghdú sna leapacha príobháideacha ar fáil i dtithe príobháideacha altranais i gceantair Bhoird an Oirthir agus an Tuaiscirt.

Tá freagrachtaí feidhmithe ag Boird agus Iontaobhais Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta as measúnú an ghá do chúram i dtithe altranais ina gceantair féin agus tá siad ag athbhreithniú i gcónaí na leapacha áta ar fáil in aghaidh measúnú an ghá sin.

Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an earnáil thithe príobháideacha altranais faoi bhrú airgeadais, cosúil le soláthraithe eile, agus chuir mé in iúl cheana féin go bhfuil mé tuisceanach don chás a rinneadh do níos mó maoiniú. Sin an fáth, le cead ó mo Roinn, ar scrúdaigh Boird Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta an méid a bhí méadú níos mó ná boilsciú i dtáillí inacmhainneach do 2001-2002. Cuideoidh an méadú idir 3.5%-5.0% i dtáillí leis an earnáil phríobháideach, chomh maith leis an £2m breise acuireadh ar fáil do 230 áit breise cúram pobail i mo bhuiséad.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the work undertaken to date by the relatives reference group and the Human Organs Inquiry Team, (b) when the Inquiry Team is expected to report and (c) the approximate cost of this inquiry.

(AQW 3244/00)

Ms de Brún: I announced the membership and terms of reference of the Human Organs Inquiry Team and Relatives Reference Group on 22 March. Since then the inquiry team and Relatives Reference Group have advertised widely in the local press inviting comments from the public, which has led to requests for over 90 questionnaires. The inquiry team has held initial meetings with parents and the Royal Victoria Hospital and has also issued letters to all relevant Health and Social Services Trusts and other interested parties requesting information and views. Analysis of this written evidence has begun and will continue over the summer as more replies are received.

The Relatives Reference Group has heard relatives’ concerns at meetings in Derry and Belfast and these concerns have been discussed with the relevant Trusts. Further regional meetings are planned this month and the group continues to maintain frequent contact with the Inquiry to share progress.

The inquiry has cost approximately £52,000 to date; however, it is too soon to say what the overall cost will be. On 22 March I asked the Inquiry to report to me within 12 months.

D’fhógair mé ballraíocht agus téarmaí tagartha Fhoireann an Fhiosrúcháin Orgán Daonna agus an Ghrúpa Tagartha Gaolta ar an 22 Márta. Ó shin, chuir foireann an Fhiosrúcháin agus an Grúpa Tagartha Gaolta fógraí go forleathan sa phreas áitiúil ag iarraidh tuairimí ón phobal, ar tháinig iarratais do bhreis agus 90 ceistiúchán astu. Bhí cruinnithe tosaigh ag Foireann an Fhiosrúcháin le tuismitheoirí agus chuir Otharlann Ríoga Victeoiria litreacha chuig na hIontaobhais chuí Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta uile agus chuig páirtithe leasmhara eile ag iarraidh eolais agus tuairimí. Thosaigh anailís ar an fhianaise scríofa seo agus leanfaidh seo ar aghaidh le linn an tsamhraidh agus níos mó freagraí á bhfáil.

Chuala an Grúpa Tagartha Gaolta buarthaí gaolta ag cruinnithe i nDoire agus i mBéal Feirste agus pléadh na buarthaí seo leis na hIontaobhais chuí. Tá tuilleadh cruinnithe réigiúnacha eile le socrú an mhí seo agus leanann an Grúpa ar aghaidh a theagmháil rialta leis an Fhiosrúchán a choinneáil leis an dul chun cinn a phlé.

Chosain an Fiosrúchán thart faoi £52,000 go dtí seo, ach tá sé róluath go fóill áfach an costas iomlán a mheas. Ar 22 Márta d’iarr mé ar an Fhiosrúchán tuairisc a thabhairt domh faoi cheann dhá mhí dhéag.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (a) the number of men and women diagnosed with cancer in each of the last three years, (b) the number of men diagnosed with (i) prostate cancer and (ii) testicular cancer, (c) what she is doing to promote awareness of men’s health, especially of cancer and (d) what funding has been allocated to this promotion compared to other campaigns.

(AQW 3245/00)

Ms de Brún: The most recent available information is as follows:

(a) Number of incidence cases of all cancers* diagnosed here in men and women between 1995 and 1997

(b) (ii) Number of incidence cases of cancer of the testis diagnosed here in men between 1995 and 1999

Figures provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. For all cancers the latest available figures are for 1997.

Seo a leanas an t-eolas is déanaí atá ar fáil:

(b) (i) Líon na gcásanna d’ailsí próstatacha fáthmheasta i bhfir anseo idir 1995 agus 1999.

(b) (ii) Líon na gcásanna d’ailse uiríoch fáthmheasta i bhfir anseo idir 1995 agus 1999.

(c) Tá an chuid is mó de na príomhghalair inár bpobal ar fhir agus ar mhná araon. Leanann gníomhú ar aghaidh le sláinte a chur chun cinn trí chur i bhfeidhm straitéisí bia agus cothaithe, gníomhaíochta fisiciúla, caithimh tobac agus alcóil. I 1999, chuir mo Roinn leabhrán ar Shláinte Fear amach, ina raibh mír ar ailse.

(d) Mar go ndírítear feachtais chur chun cinn sláinte ar an dá inscne ní féidir coibhneas an mhaoinithe dáilte ar fhir go háirithe a fháil amach.

Clárlann Ailsí Thuaisceart Éireann a sholáthraigh na figiúirí. Do na hailsí uile is iad na figiúirí do 1997 na figiúirí is déanaí atá ar fáil.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to give her assessment of the risk to health from power lines and pylons.

(AQW 3253/00)

Ms de Brún: My Department relies on the advice of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and its scientific advisers in respect of electromagnetic fields. On 6 March the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) published a report entitled ‘ELF* Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer’. The report took account of a wide range of studies both scientific and epidemiological. In the light of this report and others before it, the NRPB does not believe that there is a basis for quantitive restrictions in respect of exposure of the public to EMFs from overhead lines or other electricity supply apparatus.

At the same time the NRPB recognises that the question of whether exposure to electromagnetic fields can influence the development of cancer cannot be completely resolved and I fully support the view that the continuing research in relation to ELF exposure is important to our understanding of this issue.

Braitheann mo Roinn ar chomhairle an Bhoird Náisiúnta Chosanta Raideolaíoch (BNCR) agus a chomhairleoirí eolaíochta maidir le raonta leictreamhaighnéadacha. Ar 6 Márta, d’fhoilsigh an Grúpa Comhairleach ar Radaíocht Neamhianaithe (GCRN) tuairisc dar teideal ‘RLM* Raonta Leictreamhaighnéadacha agus an Baol ó Ailse’. Ghlac an tuairisc réimse leathan staidéar, idir eolaíoch agus eipidéimeolaíoch, san áireamh. Mar gheall ar an tuairisc seo agus ar na cinn eile roimhe sin, ní chreideann an BNCR go bhfuil cúis ar bith le srianta cainníochtaithe maidir le nochtadh an phobail do raonta leictreamhaighnéadacha ó oslínte nó ó ghléasanna soláthair leictreachais eile.

Ag an am céanna, aithníonn an BNCR nach féidir Creatlach le haghaidh Gníomhaíochta ar Liostaí Feithimh’ a d’eisigh mé agus tacaím go hiomlán leis an tuairim go bhfuil taighde leanúnach ar nochtadh RLM tábhachtach dár dtuiscint ar an cheist seo.

Mr Ford asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in respect of the Area Children and Young People’s Committee in each of the four Board Areas, to detail (a) the number of representatives from the Voluntary sector, (b) the number of representatives from the community and (c) the number of representatives from statutory and Government bodies.

(AQW 3263/00)

Ms de Brún: The numbers of representatives from the voluntary sector, the community and statutory bodies on the Area Children and Young People’s Committees in each Health and Social Services Board are set out in the following table.

Leagtar amach sa tábla a leanas líon na n-iondaithe ón earnáil dheonach, ó fhorais an phobail agus reachtúla ar Choistí Páistí agus Ógánaigh an Cheantair ag gach Bord Sláinte agus Seirbhísí Sóisialta.

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