Vol. 463 No. 3
415 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position regarding existing, or proposed, nuclear shelters in Dublin and throughout the country; the persons authorised to use them in the event of a nuclear disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6530/96]
There are no plans in existence or proposed for nuclear shelters in Dublin and throughout the country for use in the event of a nuclear accident in peacetime. In the event of an accident involving a nuclear installation, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland will provide advice to the Government on measures to be taken for the protection of members of the Irish public. These measures will depend upon the severity of the accident and the degree to which Ireland would be affected. It is not envisaged that such an accident would require the provision of special nuclear shelters.
Details of the nuclear accident emergency plan are set out in the booklet "National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents" published in 1992 by my Department.
I am informed by the Department of Defence that in a wartime emergency situation, special purpose-built shelters are not considered necessary and policy is based on the idea of domestic refuge rooms prepared by householders themselves with the aid of advice provided by the Department of Defence. Such advice is conveyed in a booklet which is available from the Department of Defence.
