andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for External Affairs the total number of past atomic explosions carried out in each of the years from 1943 by (a) Britain, (b) Russia, (c) America and (d) France to the most recent date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Atomic Explosions.
51.
I have no official information as to the number of atomic tests though statements on their own activities have been made by the countries involved in testing and of their estimates of what other countries have done.
Since the injury to health caused by radio-active fallout depends upon the total weight rather than on the number of nuclear explosions, I may say that the latest estimate I have seen of the weight of nuclear bombs exploded by the various powers was issued by the U.S. Government on 30th October. This estimate was that the U.S.S.R. had exploded bombs totalling 170 megatons, the U.S.A. and Britain together 125 megatons and France less than one megaton.
52.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Irish delegation has supported the recent protests at UNO against the renewal of atomic tests by Russia; and if there is any likelihood that any such protests will deter any of the other atomic powers from continuing to pollute the atmosphere in this grossly irresponsible way by recommencing further atomic tests.
Ireland in common with 87 other countries voted for the U.N. Resolution of 27th October which called upon the Soviet Union not to explode its 50 megaton test bomb. Eleven countries voted against this resolution and there was one abstention. The Irish delegation to the present General Assembly Session also supported other United Nations resolutions calling for the ending of testing and for an international agreement upon the matter.
In regard to the second part of the Deputies' question the United Nations protest did not, as Deputies are aware, stop the U.S.S.R. from exploding the 50 megaton bomb and other bombs and there is of course the danger that other countries may feel themselves constrained to conduct further tests in order to ensure that they are not outdistanced in technical development of nuclear weapons.
We hope for the sake of the health of mankind that we have seen the last of nuclear tests at least in the atmosphere.