Ivor Callely
Question:187 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on whether Ireland should have a central radioactive waste strategy facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Radioactive Waste Strategy Facility.
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 Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
Radioactive material, in both sealed and unsealed form, is imported for use in industrial, medical and laboratory applications under licence from the Institute. At present, all imported sealed radioactive sources must be returned to the original supplier at the end of their useful lives — this is a precondition imposed by the Institute prior to the issue of a licence. In relation to unsealed sources and sealed sources imported before the introduction of regulatory controls, 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.
Inspections of storage of radioactive substances are carried out by the Institute. I am satisfied that the present arrangements in place ensure that all sources of radioactivity are currently stored in a manner which does not pose a hazard to people and property.
The Institute have, however, recommended the establishment of a centralised waste management facility and considers that the availability of such a facility is an essential element of good radiological protection practice. My Department is keeping the question of the establishment of a centralised waste management facility under continuous review.