Mary Flaherty
Ceist:9 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Energy if he has investigated allegations of high levels of radioactivity in the Pop-pintree area of Ballymun, Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement in order to allay local fears.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radioactivity Allegations.
Following reports in the press regarding allegations of high levels of non-ionising radiation from natural and man-made sources, my Department sought information in the matter from Healthwatch, the organisation mentioned in the reports. Certain information in the matter has been received by my Department from Healthwatch and it has been copied to the Department of Health. The material is being studied at present in both Departments.
I very much welcome the involvement of the Minister's Department in this matter. Given the tremendous level of local concern about the matter, will he ensure that this investigation is carried out as speedily as possible? It is vital that we know whether there is an increased level of deaths from cancer in the area and whether there is a risk of radiation from whatever source. An action programme which will allay public fears should be implemented as quickly as possible. Has the Minister received any information from the ESB in relation to their activities in the locality which Healthwatch seem to claim are the source of this non-ionising radiation? If he has such information will he make it available to public representatives so that they can pass it on to the public immediately?
First, I wish to caution people against over-reacting to the suggested implications which were drawn from this document. As far as I can establish, the Healthwatch document is unsigned. From an initial reading of the document, it seems the so-called investigation was not very extensive — it was carried out on one day, Saturday, 16 May 1992. In addition, the locations are codified for the purposes of confidentiality. As I said, the document will be carefully examined and I will make public the views of my Department on it. After the document has been carefully examined the Department of Health will convey their views on it by way of a public statement. I would caution people against rushing into making extreme assumptions based on what seems to be very unscientific evidence.