asked the Minister for Energy his views on whether the Nuclear Energy Board or the body that replaces it should have the function of directly advising the public on the matters of radiological protection.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Radiological Protection.
19.
The functions of the Nuclear Energy Board as set out in the Nuclear Energy Act, 1971 are primarily concerned with the provision of advice to the Government and Ministers on nuclear energy. The board also advise users of radioactive substances and others on the safety aspects of the use of these substances and give advice about the impact on the general public of radiation in the environment and in food.
Under the new National Radiological Protection Institute, which will primarily be concerned with protection of the public from radiation, these activities will be enhanced and developed.
Also a major part of the proposed nuclear accident emergency plan will be concerned with advice to the public and, of course, the institute will have a key role to play in the event of such an accident.
Would the Minister of State agree that the board or the National Radiological Protection Institute should have the right to advise the public independent of Government? Will the Minister of State also tell us whether he is satisfied with the recent situation where the Minister insisted that instead of giving direct advice to the public all advice should be channelled through his office for laundering before being released to the public?
I do not think I can accept the Deputy's contention on this matter but I would say that the institute when established should have freedom to report directly to the public, particularly on matters of importance. One way or another, if a report on a matter of public concern was to come via the Minister for Energy, of sheer necessity its full contents would and should be made public.
Will the Minister of State communicate his views to the Minister who appears to hold a very different view, that the Minister should have the right to veto such information?
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Richard Bruton has asked a question and I am awaiting the Minister of State's reply.
The Minister of State has no intention of answering it.
Will the Minister of State tell us whether there is a prohibition on the Nuclear Energy Board from issuing statements concerned with nuclear radiation hazards or is there, as Deputy Bruton has pointed out, a requirement that such reports have first of all to be submitted to the Department of Energy for approval? It is now over a year since we first heard of the proposed establishment of the new National Radiological Protection Institute. Can the Minister of State tell us what stage the plans to set up the institute have reached? That body will be better able to cope with the dangers posed by nuclear hazards.
In regard to the second part of the question, plans are well advanced for the establishment of the institute and there should not be any undue delay in establishing the institute. In relation to the first part of the question, I am not aware of any prohibition on the Nuclear Energy Board but when I have checked out that matter I will communicate directly with the Deputy.