asked the Minister for Defence if he is kept informed of the operational procedures at the Bishop-scourt, County Down, NATO early warning system.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bishopscourt (Down) Airfield.
3.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of any developments that are taking place at Bishop-scourt airfield, County Down, with a view to providing nuclear missile launching sites at this locality.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. The answer to both questions is in the negative.
I am sure the Minister is aware of the widespread concern regarding the possibility of placing nuclear missiles at this site. Would the Minister seek an assurance from the British Government that there will be no siting of nuclear missiles on any part of Irish soil to eliminate the possibility of this country being a targeted area in a nuclear attack? As these two questions are distinctly separate, with your permission, A Cheann Comhairle, I reserve a supplementary question following the Minister's reply.
The assurance to which the Deputy refers has already been given in relation to Northern Ireland. Specific assurances have been given by the British authorities but there are no plans to site cruise or any other missiles in Northern Ireland.
Is the Minister aware of the reported incidence of a cluster of illnesses associated with people living in that locality and the possibility of a leukaemia link from the radiation emitted from the micro wave transmitters at Bishop-scourt. In 1980 a man and woman who had been in perfect health lived within a mile radius of that plant and died within six months of each other. As the Republic is within 35 miles of this radar station, would the Minister seek an assurance that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard people in that locality?
I am not aware of the matters to which the Deputy referred in his supplementary. In any event, it would not be a matter for me to make representations; it would be a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I suggest that if the Deputy has information as indicated, he should pass it on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.