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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 1

Written Answers. - Low Level Nuclear Waste.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Question:

108 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Energy the location of any low level nuclear waste in Ireland; if he has satisfied himself that no potential hazard to public health is presented by low level nuclear waste in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The storage and disposal of all radioactive waste in Ireland is subject to control by licence under the Nuclear Energy (General Control of Fissile Fuels, Radioactive Substances and Irradiating Apparatus) Order 1977, S.I. No. 166 of 1977. These licensing controls are operated by the Nuclear Energy Board.

The low level waste referred to by the Deputy arises from the use of radioisotopes in hospitals, research and industry. For reasons associated with maintaining commercial confidence it has not been board policy to disclose the names of institutions or individuals licensed to use radioactive substances.

The organisations involved dispose of this waste by storage on site until decayed to levels at which disposal as ordinary waste is permitted. I am advised by the board that such storage does not present a hazard to persons or to the environment, and this view has been supported by a team of experts in waste management from the International Atomic Energy Agency who visited Ireland in July of this year. However, the agency team have also pointed out that the optimum solution is to provide a national facility dedicated to the storage of all radioactive waste.
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