asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to an article (details supplied) in which it was reported that accidental deaths in a population of 15 million Americans living within a radius of 30 km of a nuclear power station were distributed as follows: road accidents, 380,000; falls, 77,000; fires, 23,000; electrocutions, 90; lightning, 8; nuclear reactors, 6; if he will bear these facts in mind when the committee set up to consider the establishment of a nuclear station in this country report to him; and if he will make a statement concerning the effects which cannot be controlled by proper conditions to protect the environment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Station Establishment.
16.
I am aware of the article in question and of various other studies that have been published on the question of nuclear safety. It is one of the principal functions of the Nuclear Energy Board to advise the Government on all aspects of the location, installation, operation and supervision of a nuclear power station. The board will naturally have available to it the results of experience with the operation of nuclear stations elsewhere, the many studies that have been made by various experts as well as the continuing research work of the international agencies working in this field. The Board's advice on the safety and environmental aspects will receive the most careful consideration of the Government before a decision is taken concerning the proposed nuclear power station.
Is the Minister satisfied that some of the reports received are scare reports and that a nuclear station would be quite safe from the point of view of the environment?
The author of the article on which the Deputy's question is based says on page 48:
Compared with the risks inherent in daily life those associated with nuclear power stations do not justify the nightmare quality often attributed to them by insufficiently well-informed people.
That is the Minister's policy now.
Yes.