Vol. 467 No. 7
407 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the issues of concern, if any, that have been brought to his attention by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14098/96]
The main issues of concern to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland are outlined in its annual reports, presented to me in accordance with the requirements of the Radiation Protection Act, 1991, and as part of its statutory advisory functions on radiological protection and nuclear safety set out in that Act.
The major issues highlighted in the recent past relate to: (1) the risks to the Irish population associated with Sellafield and other aspects of the British nuclear industry; (2) the need to reduce the hazard to public health from exposure to radon gas; (3) the desirability of having a national facility for the long-term storage of low-level radioactive waste generated by medical and industrial use; and (4) certain anomalies in health legislation relating to the use of x-ray apparatus by chiropractors.
I have made numerous statements in the House concerning Government policies on Sellafield and the UK nuclear industry. The concerns at (2) and (3) are receiving active consideration in my Department but I am not at present in a position to outline proposals to address these matters in detail.
