Move to oppose 5G technology in Mayo

MOVES are afoot to stall the arrival of 5G mobile telephone technology to Mayo due to health and environmental concerns.

Elected members of Mayo County Council have been lobbied 'to oppose any action to deploy 5G until the health implications are known'.

Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne has tabled a motion for the January meeting of the authority outlining the need for councillors 'to exercise their responsibility ‘to protect the public and the environment from harm'.

He is also seeking Comreg, the commission for telecommunication regulation, and Communications Minister Richard Bruton to delay licensing for the roll-out of 5G in order to fully establish the facts about the radiation impact on human health and the environment.

Similar motions have already adopted by local authorities in Clare, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Wicklow, Laois and Kerry due to possible health implications of the higher frequencies and mast concentrations associated with the technology.

Councillor Kilcoyne said the matter needs to be addressed in Mayo as a matter or urgency.

“It's essential that a marker is put down at this time,” he added.