asked the Minister for Defence the type of warning and monitoring network which is available to the Civil Defence to protect citizens against the hazard of nuclear fallout; if this equipment was in use during and after the Chernobyl disaster; and if he has satisfied himself with the arrangement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Fallout Warning System.
20.
As indicated recently in response to a previous question by the Deputy, the Civil Defence wartime warning and monitoring network consists of Department of Defence personnel, the Army Observer Corps, elements of the Garda Síochána, the Meteorological Service, Irish Lights, RTE, certain local authority personnel and volunteer personnel of the Civil Defence Warden Service. It includes radiation-protected national, regional and county control centres with communication links and a broadcasting facility from the national control. Its equipment includes radiation measurement instruments. The network is tested once a year through national fallout exercises and has performed well in these tests. The last exercise was held on Sunday, 1 November last, and included a television broadcast on RTE.
Arrangements exist also for advising the public on shelter and on other steps necessary for survival in a fallout situation.
While primary responsibility in relation to nuclear accidents rests with the Department of Energy, Civil Defence was involved, following the Chernobyl accident, in collecting samples of milk and vegetables for testing for radioactivity.
Civil Defence will, however, have a more comprehensive role in support of other agencies in the emergency plan to deal with the effects of a nuclear accident which is now being prepared. This role is likely to include such measures as monitoring radiation levels throughout the country; monitoring radiation levels on ships, aircraft and vehicles at seaports. airports and Border crossings, and implementing decontamination measures as necessary; participating in the collection of samples of water, grass, vegetables etc. for analysis and assisting where required in the implementation of control measures.
To enable Civil Defence to carry out these duties, very sensitive new radiation measurement instruments capable of giving readings down to background level have been purchased and training in their use has been given to local authorities scientific staffs.
I am satisfied that Civil Defence can meet their responsibilities.
What exactly is the relationship between Civil Defence and their responsibility to the citizens of this country and the Department of Energy?
The Deputy had a somewhat similar question not so long ago in relation to radiation levels and Civil Defence work in liaison with the Department of Energy who are primarily responsible for monitoring nuclear fallout. Civil Defence act as a backup service in the event of serious fallout being reported by the Department of Energy.
Only since the Chernobyl disaster have Civil Defence and the Department of Energy got their act together or are about to do so. I have a strange feeling that we were caught unawares even in Civil Defence as we did not have the type of equipment necessary to record the fallout in the circumstances. I would like the Minister to give the House his comments on that.
The Chernobyl disaster happened in 1986, is that not correct?
That is correct.
Prior to 1986 a total of 4,350 high range portable radiation survey meters had been purchased by Civil Defence and these were distributed to each local authority. This equipment was designed to measure fallout in the aftermath of any nuclear incident or of nuclear war.
Now, in the aftermath of Chernobyl, might be the best time to talk about that after the trauma has died down. Did the entire Civil Defence organisation click to 100 per cent efficiency for Chernobyl and can we be sure that they will do the same in the eye of some similar serious incident again?
The Deputy will appreciate that I was not involved in and had not responsibility for Civil Defence at that time——
How much better off are we now?
——but I am satisfied that the Civil Defence organisation operated very efficiently and quickly and I have no doubt that in the event of any similar incident or any less serious incident arising in the future, Civil Defence are fully equipped to deal with the situation and are capable of doing so.
What type of instrumentation is available for a region by region calculation of any fallout there may be? Can the Minister assure the House that, irrespective of what part of the country one might be in, there is a way of testing the atmosphere or of doing whatever else must be done in the event of fallout? Have Civil Defence the type of equipment that can monitor fallout in water?
I am very satisfied that Civil Defence are fully equipped to deal with the situation on a national basis. With regard to the provision of equipment to various Civil Defence units throughout the country, I am very satisfied that it is up to requirements. I have a very long list of equipment here which I could read out to the Deputy but I am sure, in view of the fact that four other Priority Questions are to be answered, that the Deputy will appreciate if I do not do that. I am prepared to do so if he wishes.
So long as it works and there is somebody to work it I am happy.
I assure the Deputy that it works efficiently and very well. I take this opportunity of congratulating the Civil Defence organisation for the tremendous contribution they have made and will make in the future.