Seán Barrett
Question:29 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Energy the reason there is no charge for the issue of licences for the importation and use of radioactive substances.
Written Answers. - Radioactive Substances.
Andrew Boylan
Question:39 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Energy the number of users of radioactive substances who are currently storing them; the conditions in which they are stored; and the frequency with which they are inspected.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:43 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Energy the arrangements which exist in this State for the disposal or storage of radioactive waste, especially that generated from medical uses; and the way in which these arrangements are controlled and supervised.
Nuala Fennell
Question:57 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Energy the number of licences which are currently on issue in relation to the importation and use of radioactive substances or devices into the country; and the arrangements currently in place for the disposal of these items.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 39, 43 and 57 together.
There are currently two hundred and eleven licences issued for the importation and/or use and storage of radio active substances.
Radioactive material, in both sealed and unsealed form, is imported for use in industrial, medical and laboratory applications under licence from the Radiological Protection Institute. There is no national waste facility in which this material can be disposed of after use. All imported sealed radioactive sources must therefore be returned to the original supplier at the end of their useful lives — this is a precondition imposed by the board prior to the issue of a licence. All suppliers are located outside the State.
All activity involving radioactive sources, including storage of radioactive waste, requires a licence from the Radiological Protection Institute. Stringent conditions are attached to such licences.
I am satisfied that the licensing arrangements in place ensure that all sources of radioactivity are currently stored in a manner which does not pose a hazard to people or property.
In the case of radioactive substances in unsealed form the licensee is obliged to store waste material on his premises until the radioactive content has decayed to levels at which disposal as ordinary domestic waste is permitted.
The frequency of inspections, a schedule of which is prepared by the Radiological Protection Institute, is dependent on the nature and magnitude of the hazard posed by the materials.
The decision not to charge for the issue of licences was made following legal advice to the effect that it would not be appropriate to do so under the Nuclear Energy Act, 1971.
The Radiological Protection Institute will review the issue of charging a fee for licences and is empowered to do so under the Radiological Protection Act, 1991.