Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 8

Written Answers. - Chernobyl Fall-out Response.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

178 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the action, if any, he proposes to take in order to minimise the adverse effects of the continuing fall-out from Chernobyl; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7394/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland continuously monitors radiation levels at a number of locations in Ireland. The institute has advised me that there is no evidence of new or continuing contamination of our environment as a consequence of the major accident at the Chernobyl No. 4 reactor in 1986.

However, the institute is continuing to monitor the residual effects of the contamination which occurred directly after the Chernobyl accident. This includes the monitoring of sheep grazing in a limited number of upland peaty areas where the transfer of declining levels of radioactivity to grasses is continuing. The results show that in the years following the Chernobyl accident radioactive contamination of these upland sheep has decreased by a factor of three or four. This show decrease is expected to continue during the coming years. In addition there is monitoring of the live sheep at slaughterhouses and the Radiological Protection Institute has advised that the results of this confirm that the regular consumption of sheep meat does not constitute a health hazard.

The institute is satisfied that there is no need to take any further action in respect of the contamination which occurred at the time of the Chernobyl accident. The situation is being and will continue to be monitored by the institute.