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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 2

Written Answers. - Marine Environment.

Ivor Callely

Question:

55 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the levels of radioactivity in Irish coastal waters; if he will outline the areas of highest radioactivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16378/00]

Ivor Callely

Question:

77 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the quality of the marine environment in Irish seas; if he will indicate the likely effect on the marine environment arising out of radioactivity levels in Irish seas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16379/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 77 together.

To determine the status of the marine environment, Ireland prepared its own quality status report entitled Ireland's Marine and Coastal Areas and Adjacent Seas: An Environmental Assessment.

The report which was published in March 1999 by the Marine Institute addressed key issues, including quality of bathing waters, human pressure on coastal ecosystems, actions which affect fish stocks and levels of contaminants. It concluded that Ireland's marine environment was in a healthy state.

Section 6.34 of the report deals with radioactivity from Sellafield. It states that concentrations of radionuclides are highest in the north Irish Sea and decrease with increasing distance from Sellafield. It concludes that discharges from Sellafield, from a public health perspective, result in relatively small doses of radionuclides and, therefore, do not pose a health hazard to the Irish public through the consumption of seafood caught in the Irish Sea. It also reassures the Irish public with regard to enjoying the recreational amenities of the Irish Sea.

The report of the Task Force on the Dumping of Radioactive Material in the Maritime Area which was published in January this year reiterates this message. The key conclusion of this report is that the risk to human health and to marine life from past dumping of radioactive material is extremely low and does not constitute a health hazard.

The information contained in both reports is invaluable and will provide a benchmark against which future environmental changes will be measured. We need to remain ever vigilant in the protection of our marine environment, particularly in view of the very real threat posed by the operations at Sellafield.

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