asked the Minister for Energy the vessels and their cargoes which have arrived in Ireland from Eastern European countries affected by the Chernobyl disaster; the steps that have been taken to monitor or check the ships and their cargoes for radiation levels; whether any vessels have arrived or are likely to arrive shortly with coal; and the implications of such goods or imports on safety and radiation levels in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Monitoring of East European Vessels.
18.
One of the measures taken by the interdepartmental committee established in conjunction with the Nuclear Energy Board in the wake of the Chernobyl accident was to arrange that the NEB would be informed by Customs and Excise and by shipping agents of all cargo vessels due to arrive in Irish ports. Between 2 and 26 May 1986 the Nuclear Energy Board were notified of 21 ships due from East European countries. Initially all ships were docked and their cargoes were examined by the NEB for contamination, but as the likelihood of contamination diminished with the passage of time vessels and cargoes were subsequently examined on a random basis. A total of ten cargo ships were examined at ports around the country but no contamination was found on the ships or their cargoes. The cargoes were mainly coal, oil and machinery. The examination procedure will continue in operation for as long as is necessary.
Imports into Community countries of general foodstuffs such as meat, fish and milk originating in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Soviet Union were suspended by Regulation of the Council of the European Communities dated 12 May, 1986. Customs officials would prohibit the unloading of any such cargoes.