asked the Minister for Energy if he is aware of the impact on tomato and other vegetable sales of the recent radiation scare; and if he will make a statement to allay the fears of the consumers on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radiation Effects on Vegetables.
6.
Tests conducted by the Nuclear Energy Board have shown that there is no necessity for concern about the consumption of the vegetables in Ireland as a result of the fall-out following the accident at Chernobyl and there is no need for any special procedures outside normal culinary preparation.
The board have advised that to date, analysis carried out on a variety of vegetable types grown out of doors in locations around Ireland has shown that levels are very low and do not represent any significant hazard to health. These levels are well within maximum EC recommended limits and are declining. Vegetables grown under glass or clothes in Ireland were not subject to any fall-out contamination.
To ensure that contaminated vegetables which could be a health hazard were not sold in Ireland, the Nuclear Energy Board conducted tests on vegetables being imported from all European countries at point of entry. Arrangements were made for any produce showing an unacceptable level of contamination to be impounded. The EC ban which came into effect on 13 May and which prohibited the import into member states of fresh vegetables from seven eastern European countries was applied in Ireland.
The Nuclear Energy Board have at all times kept the public informed on this matter. As a reassurance to the public and as a safety precaution, testing of vegetables will continue and the public will be kept informed.
Before I ask my supplementary question, I wish to point out that originally the question was tabled to the Minister for Agriculture. At that stage that Minister should have made a statement in relation to the matter. Will the Minister for Energy state if he is aware of a statement issued by the Nuclear Energy Board and if he accepts that it had an impact on the demand for the sale of Irish tomatoes in the market place and in retail outlets.
If the Deputy wishes to get instant statements or instant replies to questions there is a procedure other than waiting for oral replies.
The trouble is they do not answer.
I am not in a position to assess the impact of any statement on individual shopkeepers on the eastern or on the western seaboard. The statements made were based on a factual assessment of the situation and on the knowledge available to the Nuclear Energy Board and they were on behalf of the Department of Energy and the Government. The statements were made to allay public fears. They were correct statements and were in the best interests of the public.
Will the Minister agree that when the Nuclear Energy Board first made the statement they could have made clear that the danger of tomatoes being affected by radiation was considerably less than outdoor vegetables because the tomatoes were grown in glasshouses or in plastic tunnels?
Perhaps the Deputy is right. I would have assumed there is a fair degree of understanding as to the lessened likelihood of radiation affecting vegetables grown indoors. Perhaps on future occasions if something like this happens again we will be more specific in the advice we give.
I will remind the Minister.