Vol. 471 No. 6
144 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if, as part of the Radiological Protection Institute nationwide survey, there is a compilation of data on deposit levels of uranium here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21406/96]
The nationwide survey being undertaken by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, to which the Deputy refers, is a series of regional surveys of radon gas in buildings in the country. This radon is a derivative of uranium and provides only indirect evidence of areas of the country which would contain some amount of uranium in bedrock.
In the period 1977-82, the Geological Survey of Ireland carried out general surveys of the natural geological radioactivity levels in Ireland. These helped to indicate areas with potential for more detailed prospecting for occurrences of uranium-bearing minerals. A brief phase of private sector prospecting followed but this ceased mainly because likely deposits were not perceived to be economic. There was also strong resistance on environmental/safety grounds. The technical results of this uranium prospecting are available for inspection in the offices of the geological survey in Beggar's Bush. No direct studies or surveys of the distribution of uranium in Irish rocks and soils have been carried out by the geological survey since that period.
