asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the immediate steps and precautions, if any, which are being taken to safeguard the health of the population and our environment as a result of yesterday's accident at a nuclear power plant in Russia, especially in view of the understanding of the previous accident at Chernobyl.
Private Notice Question. - Russian Nuclear Accident.
This morning, my Department and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland received reports of an accident which took place earlier at a chemical plant, Tomsk-7 in Siberia which leaked radiation after an explosion in a tank containing a uranium solution at a reprocessing facility at the plant. Tomsk-7 in situated in a very remote area in Siberia in the Russian Federation about 1,900 miles from Moscow, therefore, approximately 3,500 miles east of Ireland. The very isolation of the plant in this instance is serving to limit its consequences to the immediate area.
The explosion, in a tank at the plant for processing spent nuclear fuel, resulted in a release of radioactivity to the surrounding area. Latest information is that an area of a few square kilometres may have been contaminated, with radioactivity levels some hundreds of times background level being recorded.
According to the reports received to date, there were no casualties at the complex, one of three facilities in Russia which reportedly has the capability for processing spent nuclear fuel. A special committee has been created by the Russian authorities to investigate the causes of the explosion.
The Deputy is probably aware that there is in existence an Early Notification Convention operated by the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA. Under this, any member state in which an accident occurs and which is likely to have transboundary effects submits early notification of such an accident to the IAEA. On this occasion, the Russian authorities did not formally notify the accident to the agency because there was not the potential of contaminating areas outside of the national boundaries of Russia. There are two reasons for this. As I have already said, the plant is very isolated. Secondly, it is reported that the force of the explosion did not have the energy to push or lift the leaked gases or contamination high enough into the atmosphere for upper winds to carry it beyond the boundaries of the country.
I have asked the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to request the fullest information from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the reported radiation leak. Details on the exact nature of the radiation release and its possible consequences have been sought. I have also asked the Irish Embassy in Moscow for all available information on the incident.
The Deputy will be aware that we have a national emergency plan for nuclear accidents which is a plan of action designed to provide a response to accidents involving the release, or potential release, of radioactive substances into the environment which could give rise to a radiation exposure to the Irish public. Copies of this plan which were made widely available nationally were also sent to all Members of the Oireachtas. The plan outlines the measures which are in place to assess and mitigate the effects of nuclear accidents which might pose a radiological hazard in Ireland.
As regards this particular incident at Tomsk-7, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland will be continuously monitoring the situation and the public will be kept informed as further details come to hand. The RPII's nationwide radioactivity surveillance network continuously measures external gamma dose rate and samples precipitation and aerosols. The system is designed to detect quickly deviations from the normal background level of radioactivity in the environment.
For the moment, Russian officials say there is no reason to fear that the effects of the accident will be felt further afield. The explosion at Tomsk-7, however, once again focuses world attention on the dangerously dilapidated state of Russia's ageing nuclear infrastructure and the need to close down unsafe nuclear plants.
Having regard to the preliminary information available, it would appear that there is no risk of the effects of this incident being detectable outside Russia, and therefore, no risk to the Irish population. It is not anticipated, therefore, that any emergency measures in Ireland will be necessary.
This unfortunate incident points to the inherent risks of nuclear facilities. The installation at Tomsk-7 was apparently geared to the reprocessing of nuclear waste. The failure at the Tomsk-7 site merely exacerbated our own concerns about the hazards of reprocessing and storage of radioactive waste at Sellafield. This is yet another reason to justify my total opposition to existing and proposed reprocessing facilities.
Is the Minister satisfied that the statements by the Russian authorities can be believed in view of their previous track record in relation to Chernobyl? Is he satisfied that all the arrangements in Ireland can be put in place at short notice? Would the Minister consider the health boards are equipped to deal with the effects of radiation on food supplies and livestock?
Based on the available information we do not anticipate that this incident will have trans-boundary effects. We are satisfied that is the position. We are monitoring the situation and there is no evidence to suggest that there is any danger at present. I understand the Deputy's concern following the Chernobyl incident. However, based on the available information we understand that this incident is not to be compared with Chernobyl. Our Ambassador in Moscow, Mr. McCabe who is very attentive to our concerns — I met him last week — will keep us advised of developments. The RPII has been instructed by me to seek what information they can from the IAEA who will be informed of the trans-boundary effects of this incident, but at present there are no such effects. No other country outside Russia has intimated that there are gamma dose rays detectable which would suggest that they have extended beyond the boundaries of Russia.
Is the Minister satisfied as to what the prevailing weather conditions were, and if the prevailing winds when the accident occurred and since are not in any way capable of carrying radiation in the direction of this country?
I emphasise that this accident occurred in a very isolated area. I understand the winds prevailing at the time indicate that the radiation was dispersed into the vast expanse of isolation of Siberia and no immediate population was endangered. I understand that there were no casualties at the plant arising from the accident. It does not appear that the power of the explosion was such that radiation would have been raised into the upper stratosphere which would enable upper winds to carry it beyond the immediate vicinity.
In regard to the last incident, it was not until the Swedish authorities detected radioactive particles in the atmosphere that the incident was admitted. Will the Minister step up the efforts being made by the Government and the European Community to ensure that military and nuclear power stations that are unsafe in Russia be dismantled as quickly as possible?
The political situation in Russia is far different compared to when the Chernobyl incident occurred. At that time such information would not have been forthcoming from the USSR. The authorities have been very forthcoming in regard to this incident. They are sending their own teams to examine the extent of the damage. No other member state has detected anything which would suggest that the issue is not as serious as the Chernobyl disaster. Comparisons would be invidious based on the available information.
I had hoped to move on to other business, a brief question from Deputy Therese Ahearn.
Is the Minister satisfied with the current system whereby the country in which the accident occurs decides if it is necessary to make an immediate worldwide notification? A similar incident occurred in Sellafield. Would the Minister agree that there should be an independent body to which any incident, irrespective of its magnitude, should be reported and that body should decide whether there should be immediate notification worldwide?
The IAPEA are the international body concerned and they are an independent body. The early notification convention requires that notification be given in circumstances where there is a trans-boundary aspect to any nuclear accident. That is the international obligation on all member states with a nuclear facility. It did not arise in this case because there are no trans-boundary effects envisaged following this incident. Until the international law is changed that will remain the position.
The Minister must accept the boundaries are not in place today.
That disposes of questions for today.
On a point of order, yesterday I attempted to raise with you, Sir, by way of Private Notice Question, the issue of the strike taking place in larnród Éireann and I also attempted to do so today. I find it unacceptable that such a matter of great public importance should be ruled out of order.
The Deputy may not raise the matter now.
If I could briefly say——
The Deputy appears to be challenging the Chair's decision.
——there are thousands of people depending on Iarnród Éireann for transport.
The Deputy is imposing himself on the House.
As the Minister is present I ask him to consider making a statement this evening on this matter.
The Minister will not be travelling by bus.