Helen Keogh
Question:49 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents had not been tested since May 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4979/96]
Written Answers. - Nuclear Accidents Emergency Plan.
The national emergency plan for nuclear accidents was finalised in 1991. It is of considerable importance to me and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland that exercises of the national emergency plans are carried out regularly. These are required to ensure that it will function in an emergency situation.
A major Irish exercise of the plan, called "Saferay", was carried out in 1992. Many lessons were learnt during this exercise and were addressed in a further exercise held in 1993. This exercise, known as "INEX 1", was a major international exercise organised by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD. Sixteen countries performed the exercise. I am pleased to say that Ireland performed quite creditably in this exercise and it was found to be very helpful in assisting us to refine and improve our emergency arrangements.
It was thought that a second international exercise would be held in 1995, but it will now be held this year. We have signified our intention to participate in this exercise, which will be known as "INEX 2". It will provide, with some Irish additions, a searching test of our emergency arrangements.
Important factors of international nuclear emergency arrangements are the communication links between countries and the effective implementation of the international convention and the European Union arrangements for the early notification and the exchange of information about a nuclear accident.
The system operated in the European Union is tested every six to eight weeks. At least one of these every year includes the transfer of simulated radiological data between EU member states. The last test of the communication system established under the IAEA convention on early notification of a nuclear accident took place in September 1995. Ireland participates in all these tests and the experiences gained to date have lead to improvements in the international arrangements.