asked the Minister for Energy the reason the Nuclear Energy Board (An Bord Fuinnimh Núicléigh) did not use money provided by the Oireachtas in 1980 for laboratory purposes in connection with the radiation monitoring service; if he has satisfied himself that the present facilities available for this purpose are adequate; and if he will inform the House as to the precise facilities now available for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Energy Board.
13.
In 1979, the National Radiation Monitoring Service (NRMS) under the direction of the Nuclear Energy Board (NEB) took over full responsibility from St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin, for the national radiation monitoring programme. The board sought approval to acquire new premises for their laboratory and the National Radiation Monitoring Service. The money was provided — £100,000 — for this purpose in the 1980 Estimates but, in the event, no suitable premises was located and the board, with the co-operation of St. Luke's Hospital, continues to use the facilities at the hospital.
I am advised by the NEB that the present facilities and equipment available to them are capable of providing accurate measurements of exposures of members of the Irish public to radiation. Measurements carried out by the NEB correspond with surveys of radioactivity undertaken independently by scientists at UCD and Trinity College, Dublin.
The available facilities comprise a laboratory and special equipment necessary for the purpose of measurement of radioactivity levels by staff specially trained in this field of work. The NRMS carry out their radiation monitoring programme is conjunction with the Meterological Service of the Department of Transport, the Department of Fisheries Research Centre, and the Departments of Physics at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
It appears to be a ludicrous situation that money is made available to our Nuclear Energy Board which they do not use and that they are still dependent on information coming from polluters themselves on the far side of the water——
A question, please, Deputy.
Would the Minister not agree that if the Oireachtas votes moneys through for an organisation responsible for monitoring the safety of our citizens from radiation, if they do not use that money, there is something drastically wrong when they are dependent for monitoring information from polluters on the other side of the water?
In 1980 St. Luke's Hospital felt they could not provide the facilities. Money was provided for alternative facilities but the hospital were unable to provide a site and facilities have been continued to be provided by St. Luke's Hospital. The facilities available are considered adequate, but if it is shown that new facilities are desirable or necessary funds will be made available.