Vol. 512 No. 3
38 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Sargent den Aire Fiontar Poiblí cén t-eolas atá aici faoi phlean British Nuclear Fuels Limited chun Sellafield a dhúnadh roimh dheireadh na bliana 1999 ar feadh tréimhse ar eagla taisme de bharr Y2K; agus cén chomhairle atá aici i dtaobh na ceiste seo. [25828/99]
97 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the level of awareness by the RPII of nuclear installations worldwide in view of a report that one third of the USA's 103 nuclear power stations had to resolve their Y2K problems and a Reuters report which stated that the USA proposed stockpiling potassium iodide to prevent thyroid cancer caused by radioactive iodine releases; and if similar precautions have been taken in the interests of public safety here. [25826/99]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 38 and 97 together.
Both the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and I are aware of the many concerns expressed worldwide in relation to the Y2K problem and its possible impact on the operation of nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency has played a leading role in facilitating the exchange of information and experience among member states as an essential component of its action plan for addressing the Y2K problem. The IAEA's initiative, along with similar initiatives undertaken by the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency and by the Commission of the European Communities has resulted in considerable work to ensure that nuclear facilities will not be adversely affected by the Y2K problem. It is clear that many facilities, including those in the USA, had to take measures to ensure safe operation of such facilities.
In so far as nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom are concerned, I understand that the UK's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate expects all nuclear facilities to be Y2K compliant. The RPII has been informed by British Nuclear Fuels that the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield will not be operating over the Christmas and new year period. This, I understand, is normal procedure at Sellafield for that time of year.
Officials from my Department and the RPII have raised the Y2K issue on a number of occasions with their UK counterparts. I also raised the matter in my meeting earlier this year with the then UK Minister of State for Energy and Industry, Mr. John Battle. The RPII is satisfied that the UK Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has set up a rigorous programme aimed at ensuring Y2K compliance by all operators of nuclear facilities in the UK.
In the event of a nuclear accident abroad presenting a radiological hazard to Ireland, there is a well developed national emergency plan for nuclear accidents designed to provide a rapid response. The RPII also has contingency arrangements to address any emergency over the millennium period and will have the necessary staff on standby to activate the emergency plan if required.
Under the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents, it is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children to maintain stocks of stable iodine tablets at health boards and to ensure there are plans in place for their rapid distribution. While such stocks are held at present by the health boards, the Department of Health and Children will keep under review the arrangements necessary to protect the health and safety of the public.
Is mian liom díriú ar an Ríocht Aontaithe de bharr go bhfuil Sellafield in aice linn. An aontaíonn an tAire le dearcadh alt a foilsiú san The Observer a deir “there seems to be a very strange complacency about the Y2K issue within the UK nuclear industry” agus an aontaíonn sé le ráiteas urlabhraí an Nuclear Installations Inspectorate sa Ríocht Aontaithe “there is nothing to worry about“? An féidir leis an tAire a rá chomh maith cad go díreach atá i gceist ag an RPII le “full alert“? An bhfuilimid ag caint faoi iodine tablets amháin nó cad eile atá i gceist?
I have not detected the complacency to which the Deputy referred in my dealings with the UK at ministerial level and with the RPII. On the contrary, when I placed this issue firmly on the agenda last May in my meeting with Mr. John Battle and his team of officials, I was assured that measures were in place to ensure that British nuclear plants would be Y2K compliant. As recently as last Thursday at a Council meeting in Brussels, I raised the issue again with the new UK Minister, Helen Liddell whom I met for the first time. We only had time to deal with one major issue and we discussed the Y2K matter. I was very happy with what Ms Liddell had to say. We are certainly not being complacent and are taking all the necessary precautions in regard to the national emergency plan. Ms Liddell advised me that both she and the NII were comfortable with the situation.
Dúirt an tAire go bhfuil gach protection tógtha ach, seachas iodine tablets, cad tá i gceist le "full alert"? An bhfuilimid ag caint faoi chóras taistil chun daoine a thabhairt go Gaillimh nó as an tír ar fad? An bhfuilimid ag caint faoi dhochtúirí a bheith ar dhualgas thar an tréimhse?
It is understood in countries in which nuclear plants are located that iodine tablets are predistributed within a three to ten mile radius of plants. That would not be necessary here. The Department of Health and Children is responsible for ensuring that the tablets are available in sufficient quantities. I understand the Department has large stocks of iodine tablets and that those are held in bulk at various locations. It is the duty of the health boards to distribute them.
The time for Question No. 38 has concluded.
Sin a bhfuil, iodine tablets.
