Fears over the potential health implications of 5G have led to calls for Donegal County Council to take measures to delay the roll-out and to host a special meeting on the matter.
County councillors Gerry McMonagle and Niamh Kennedy both highlighted the rising concern over 5G at today’s council meeting.
Cllr McMonagle called for the testing and roll-out of 5G to be delayed in Donegal and for the ComReg to delay the licensing of its roll-out.
He said the erection of masts has heightened concerns and that there are conflicting reports from experts on whether 5G is harmful or not.
He also asked that the council calls on the Minister for Communication, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G and to delay the roll-out across the country until a full assessment of the health and environmental implications is carried out for an Oireachtas report.
Cllr Niamh Kennedy sought a special meeting to discuss the concerns of the general public in relation to 5G alongside public concerns on mining.
Cllr Kennedy said that elected representatives need the basic facts on 5G, adding “we are not against technology, but not at the peril of somebody’s health.” She explained that her call for a meeting on mining issues follows well-attended public meetings in South Donegal last year.
In response, Mr. Garry Martin. Director of Economic Development, Emergency Services and Information Systems said the council would invite the Environmental Protection Agency to provide independent information on the subject of 5G and public exposure to Non-Ionizing Radiation. Mr Martin suggested that ComReg could be invited to the same presentation to outline how the licensing of 5G operates, as well as the monitoring of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) emissions in compliance with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines.
