asked the Minister for Energy if he is satisfied with the present methods of measuring plutonium in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plutonium Measurement.
16.
I am informed by the Nuclear Energy Board, which is the adviser to the Government on nuclear matters, that it is satisfied that the methods available to it, for the measurement of plutonium levels are adequate and give accurate results. I am satisfied with the board's assurances on this matter.
The board further informs me that plutonium levels generally in seawater in the Irish Sea and particularly near the Irish coast are extremely low and can be discounted as of no consequence to Ireland.
Is the Minister aware that there is no formal monitoring of plutonium by the Department of Energy or the Nuclear Energy Board?
That is correct. The Nuclear Energy Board do not consider it necessary to monitor plutonium in the Irish Sea on a routine basis.
What does the Minister mean by "routine basis"?
The board have informed me that there is sufficient information in the United Kingdom and sufficient published literature to satisfy the Nuclear Energy Board on this matter. The physics department of UCD have commenced a study of plutonium and other alpha emitter levels in the Irish Sea.
Is it not a fact that it is very cheap to measure the level of plutonium? It is incredible to think that we have no formal monitoring of it.
The Nuclear Energy Board are satisfied that the levels give no cause for concern.
Is the Minister aware that his Department contacted my office to inquire what reply I required to this question?
My Department would have asked the Nuclear Energy Board in the first instance.
They also contacted my office to inquire what reply I wanted.
Is the Minister aware that the levels of plutonium which are estimated to be in the Irish Sea are 100 times more than the levels estimated in the Galway Bay-west coast region? In view of this would the Minister not agree that there is necessity for regular monitoring especially since the levels have been steadily increasing in the Irish Sea?
I am not so aware.
Is the Minister aware of anything? He does not seem to know the answers to any questions we are asking. There does not seem to be much point in the Opposition coming in here. It is time the Minister moved out.
The Minister of State, in a blasé manner, said that the Nuclear Energy Board said it was not necessary to monitor the levels. The Minister took it as the advice which was given. The Minister is responsible. Would he not accept that it is necessary to monitor it in view of the fact that the information the Nuclear Energy Board are relying on is supplied by British Nuclear Fuels? They were found out telling lies regarding emissions from Windscale in the past.
I cannot accept what the Deputy said about the Nuclear Energy Board and I ask him to withdraw it. I have every confidence in them and they have advised me——
The Minister does not know.
Nobody has any confidence in British Nuclear Fuels.
Order, please.
Deputies are scaremongering on this issue.
The Minister does not know what is going on.
The Minister seems to be under the impression that the British Nuclear Fuels and the Nuclear Energy Board here are one and the same thing. Could we explain to him that they are not?
The Deputy is out of order.
Deputy Burke should not be asked to withdraw his suggestion.
(Interruptions.)
He ought to be in jail.