asked the Minister for Health whether his Department have carried out any inquiries into the effect upon fish of the pumping of 10,000 curies of radio-active material monthly into the Irish Sea by British atomic industries; and, if so, if he will state the result of such enquiries; and, if not, if he will take steps to have the situation kept under constant observation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio-Active Material in Irish Sea: Effect on Fish.
1.
Mr. Ryan
The possible dangers of the contamination of foodstuffs to a dangerous degree by radioactivity is under continual review at present by a group of professional and technical officers from my Department and the other Departments concerned. As part of this review, the group has been considering the effect on fish of the deposit of radio-active waste in the Irish Sea, and has reached certain tentative conclusions in the matter. While tests have not so far been carried out on fish caught in the Irish Sea, it is hoped that the group will be able to arrange such tests as part of their future programme.
In the meantime, however, the House can be assured that, from reports of the British authorities, it is evident that they exercise stringent controls on the discharge of radio-active waste into the Irish Sea and comply with the requirements of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. I am advised that tests undertaken in Britain for radioactivity in fish caught in the Irish Sea have shown satisfactory results.