asked the Minister for Defence whether he has plans to erect shelters for the population in the event of nuclear attack; if so, the number, size and location intended for these shelters; whether it is intended to give preference to any particular section of the population in the use of these shelters; if so, which; whether any such shelters are envisaged for urban centres in County Galway; and, if so, which centres.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Attack Shelters.
254.
My Department's policy for the protection of the population from the effects of radioactive fallout, which is considered to be the most likely hazard for this country in the event of a nuclear war, is based on the idea of domestic refuge rooms, refuge rooms would be prepared by the householders themselves, at the time, to cater for that hazard. Advice to the public in this regard is contained in the Department's booklet, "Bás/Beatha", which is available to the public free of charge.
There are no plans for the erection of purpose-built public fallout shelters. However, investigations have been made of large buildings which might afford reasonable protection from the effects of radio-active fallout to persons caught out away from home in a fallout situation and to persons, such as caravan dwellers, whose homes would have little or no protection potential against radioactivity.
The only accommodation built or modified purposely with a view to protection against radioactive fallout is that in which control centres are located. These control centres would be staffed mainly by personnel whose function would be the receipt and processing of information on fallout conditions and the issue of warning and advice for the protection of the public.