Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 4

Written Answers. - Nuclear Radiation.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

86 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health whether he intends to set up a register of reproductive health problems in relation to miscarriages, spontaneous abortions, congenital abnormalities and infants with learning difficulties in view of the concerns over the effects on health from radiation emitted from nuclear installations. [23473/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

87 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if he intends to initiate or sponsor any research into the possible connection between nuclear installation emissions and incidences of cancers and reproductive problems or any other health problems. [23474/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

88 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if he intends to act on or further the research of the late Dr. Patricia Sheehan or any allied research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23475/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 87 and 88 together.

The Government recently decided to establish an interdepartmental working group, subordinate to the Ministerial Group on Sellafield and the Irish Sea, to examine all available evidence, and to explore and assemble all further evidence, with a view to supporting effective action against any risks posed to the population of Ireland by the installations and operations at Sellafield. The question of research in the health area will be considered by this working group, on which the Department of Health is represented.