Vol. 541 No. 5
215 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children if iodine tablets in the North Western Health Board area are out of date; the plans that are being put in place to replace the stocks; the length of time it will take for the replacement process; and the plans that are in place for the distribution of the tablets to people residing in the North-Western Health Board area. [23377/01]
I am advised that some stocks of iodine tablets are still held by the North Western Health Board and are past their use by date. Only the most severe nuclear accidents will require the use of iodine tablets. In most nuclear accident situations staying indoors and avoiding consumption of certain foods that may be contaminated would be the advice given.
The necessity of continued stocking of iodine tablets as part of the health input into the national nuclear emergency plan was reviewed as part of an update of the overall plan. It was recommended that new stocks of iodine tablets should be purchased and predistributed as a more effective counter measure. I have accepted this recommendation and my Department is making the necessary arrangements as a matter of urgency for the purchase and distribution of these tablets.
