Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions Written Answers. - Danger of Overhead Cables.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

37 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the safety to health of overhead high voltage electricity cables in densely populated urban areas, in view of recent Scandinavian studies on childhood leukaemia; and if he will assure the public that the dangers are significantly lessened by the burying of such cable underground.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question by Deputy Currie on 10 March 1993. I explained that the study referred to has been noted. Research in this area is ongoing internationally but the general body of evidence to date has not established a causal relationship between electro-magnetic radiation from overhead power lines and cancer.