Vol. 549 No. 1
52 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the latest position in relation to the provision of iodine tablets to health boards; the number of such tablets held by each health board; if it is intended that these will be distributed to the public; the proposed manner of distribution; when the distribution will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/02]
The national emergency plan for nuclear accidents is co-ordinated by the Department of Public Enterprise. As part of this plan stocks of iodine tablets were distributed to all regional health boards in 1991 for use as a counter measure in the context of an overall response to a nuclear emergency. It emerged that some health boards disposed of these stocks as they were past their "best-before" date and these boards believed that they were ineffective. I am advised that current stocks held by boards are as follows: Eastern Regional Health Authority – 720,000, tested 14 months ago and usable at that time; South-Eastern Health Board – 360,000, tested recently and usable; North-Eastern Health Board – 180,000, tested in 1999 and usable at that time; North-Western Health Board – 30,000 untested tablets; Mid-Western Health Board – 300,000 untested tablets; Midland Health Board – nil; Western Health Board – nil; Southern Health Board – nil.
Ingestion of stable iodine tablets can effectively block the body's uptake of radioactive iodine and may be effective in preventing thyroid cancer in certain populations, especially in children exposed to radioactive fallout. Only a severe nuclear accident close to Ireland may require the use of iodine tablets depending on the nature of the accident and any resultant radiation release. Staying indoors and avoiding the consumption of certain foods that may be contaminated would most likely be the advice given in the early stages of any emergency.
The necessity of continued stocking of iodine tablets as part of the health input into the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents was reviewed as part of an update of the overall plan. It was recommended that new stocks of iodine tablets should be purchased and pre-distributed as a more effective counter measure. I accepted this recommendation and my Department, through the Eastern Regional Health Authority, following an appropriate tendering process under EU legislation, placed an order for the manufacture of new stocks on 21 December 2001. Delivery of these stocks to the ERHA is expected by the 22 March 2002.
In consultation with the Government task force on emergency planning it has been decided to distribute the tablets directly to each household in the country through the postal system. My Department is currently liaising with An Post and making the necessary mail fulfilment arrangements in order to ensure the secure delivery of a carton of tablets to each household as quickly as possible.
