asked the Minister for Energy whether or not he intends to introduce regulations to control and monitor every activity from manufacture to disposal of every source of ionising radiation in order to prevent incidents involving the loss of human life which occurred in Mexico and Brazil recently.
Written Answers. - Ionising Radiation.
189.
Regulations to control all activities relating to ionising radiation already exist and are enforced. Under the Nuclear Energy (General Control of Fissile Fuels, Radioactive Substances and Irradiating Apparatus) Order 1977 (S.I. No. 166 of 1977) the custody, use, manufacture, importation, distribution, transportation, exportation or other disposal of radioactive substances and irradiating apparatus is prohibited except under licence issued by the Nuclear Energy Board. Conditions relating to activities involving radioactive substances or irradiating apparatus are attached to the licences. Inspectors of the Nuclear Energy Board monitor compliance with the order and with the licence conditions and legal proceedings may be initiated by the board in cases of breaches.