Phone firms won’t stop using mast near school

TWO mobile phone companies have point-blank refused a Government request to stop using a telephone mast near schools in Dublin.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) asked Vodafone, the country’s largest mobile phone company, and 3 Ireland, the newest operator on the market, to stop using the mast on the State-owned Ardee House in Rathmines because of public fears over the effects of radiation.

But despite the concerns of local parents, the companies refused, saying they were under no obligation to do so. Both companies have located ‘base stations’ - antennae systems which send and receive information from mobile phones - on the mast.

The OPW acted after protests from residents, teachers and public representatives who opposed its decision to grant the companies licences to operate the base stations.

Ardee House is just metres from St Mary’s, a primary and secondary school for boys, and is also close to St Louis, a secondary school for girls.

Following a series of representations made by the Green Party’s John Gormley, Labour’s Ruairi Quinn, and the residents themselves, the OPW last month asked the companies to stop using the mast.

But Tom Parlon, the junior minister with responsibility for the OPW, recently said: “The two mobile phone operators who have equipment installed on Ardee House have informed the Commissioners of Public Works that they do not intend to comply with the request to deactivate their equipment.”

Mr Parlon said his office had no power to order Vodafone and 3 Ireland to comply with the request as they were licensed to operate the base stations.

The OPW has requested both companies to reconsider their decision, but neither Vodafone nor 3 Ireland is likely to change its mind.

Asked if there was any possibility of deactivation, 3 Ireland’s corporate affairs manager Philip Robinson replied: “No.”

But he said the company was willing to meet with residents to allay their concerns. “We have made an offer to make our corporate affairs team available to the OPW (if required) ... to talk with the local community.”

A spokeswoman for Vodafone said it would similarly be willing to meet with residents, but said the base station was operating within all safety guidelines.

Both companies refused to say how much they are paying the State for use of Ardee House. State policy, meanwhile, has changed since Vodafone and 3 were granted licences.

The State is not issuing any more licences for base stations on public buildings until a report on the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is completed.

That report is being compiled by an inter-departmental committee under the aegis of the Department of Communications. The department is accepting public submissions on the issue until January 10.