asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has seen a statement by Professor D. C. Pepper, President of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland, on the lack of precautions against radiation spillage in Ireland; and what measures he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radiation Spillage.
36.
I have seen the statement referred to by the Deputy. The controls which are at present exercised over radioactive materials are as follows:—
The Minister for Health has power to make statutory regulations in the matter of medical radioactive substances but he has not as yet found it necessary to make such regulations. He has instead proceeded by way of voluntary controls operated on his behalf by the National Radiation Monitoring Service, a subsidiary of St. Luke's Hospital. Their main activity has been the provision of a film badge service for continuously measuring the radiation dose received by those working with irradiation apparatus. This service is availed of by all hospitals and many commercial firms and is operating successfully. The monitoring service advises hospitals, dentists and commercial enterprises on the use of such apparatus and the safeguards necessary for the protection of workers and of the public from radiation spillage. The service also undertakes the monitoring of radioactivity in the Irish Sea through the monitoring of samples of sea-water, fish and seaweed from selected sites off the Irish coast. The Meteorological Service of my Department carries out regular measurements of the radioactivity of precipitation, settled dust and airborne particles in a number of selected locations throughout the country.
The Minister for Labour under the Factories Act, 1955, may seek a Court Order prohibiting the dangerous storage and use of radioactive materials in any factory, construction site, et cetera where they may be stored or in use without adequate safety and health precautions. In addition, draft regulations aimed to reduce exposure of industrial workers to radiation to a minimum have been prepared by the Minister for Labour and will be made in the near future.
As I informed the House on previous occasions, I intend to set up a Nuclear Energy Board which will have the function of advising the Government and Minister on nuclear matters generally including appropriate protective measures and the need for any further controls over radioactive substances. The Bill will also give power to introduce any regulatory measures considered necessary.
As the Minister with co-ordinating responsibility in nuclear matters, I hope to introduce this Bill at an early date during the present session.