Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 3

Written Answers - Radioactive Pollution.

Michael Bell

Question:

13 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the recently published findings of a study by Greenpeace of the radioactive pollution of the Irish Sea; the action, if any, proposed by her to counter this pollution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26926/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

Neither my Department nor the Radiological Protection Institute, RPII, has seen a copy of the most recent data produced by Greenpeace. However, on the basis of the reported findings of Greenpeace, their data corresponds closely with the findings already published by the RPII in respect of levels of concentrations of technetium-99 in seaweed on the east coast of Ireland.

The RPII undertakes a regular and comprehensive environmental radioactivity monitoring programme of Irish coastal waters. The RPII publishes its results annually in their annual report and releases bi-annual detailed reports; the most recent bi-annual report deals with the 1996-7 period. These results are also available on the Department of Public Enterprise web site.

The RPII's data indicates significant annual increases since 1994 in concentrations of technetium-99 in seaweed sampled along the north east Irish coastline as a result of increased discharges from Sellafield. However, the highest measurements made by the RPII for the north eastern Irish coast are more than 100 times lower than the level detected on the Sellafield coastline. On the basis of such data derived from its own measurements, the RPII's view is that the resulting doses arising from radioactive contamination of the Irish Sea are very small and do not constitute a significant health risk.

The Government's objective is, of course, the cessation of all radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea. I have availed of every opportunity to highlight Ireland's opposition to the radioactive contamination of the environment, particularly the marine environment. I am determined to do everything possible to ensure that the positive commitments made by the UK in July this year at the OSPAR ministerial meeting in Lisbon are fully and speedily achieved.

The most immediate issue relating to marine discharges from Sellafield is the decision to be made by UK Ministers on BNFL's revised discharge authorisations following the referral by the UK Environment Agency to the UK Ministers of the agency's draft decision in the matter. As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 33, 43 and 87 of 10 November, I have written to the UK Ministers objecting to the Environment Agency draft decisions on the grounds that the reductions in technetium-99 proposed are totally inadequate.