Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Nuclear Pollution Research.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

15 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if his Department has had an opportunity to meet Dr. Chris Busby, head of research at the low-level radiation campaign in Wales, with a view to collecting evidence on the health effects of nuclear pollution. [23531/96]

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

21 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if he will give financial assistance towards the continuation of research originally commenced by Dr. Patricia Sheehan, prior to her death, into the possible effects of Sellafield and other related non-natural radiation in County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to any ongoing examination in this regard on a voluntary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23260/96]

Helen Keogh

Ceist:

43 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health if he will undertake an offical study into the reported vitamin and enzyme deficiencies in patients in the Dundalk area of County Louth, in view of the suggestion that there is an above average incidence in still births, miscarriages and birth defects in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24509/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 21 and 43 together.

Following the recent Supreme Court decision to allow the case taken by the County Louth residents against British Nuclear Fuels Limited to be heard in the Irish courts, the Government decided to offer financial assistance and other support to the residents for specific purposes. These purposes have been outlined to the House by the Minister for the Environment, and include relevant health-related research. In addition, the Government decided to establish an interdepartmental working group, subordinate to the ministerial group on Sellafield and the Irish Sea, with the following remit: "to examine all available evidence, and to explore and assemble all further evidence, with a view to supporting effective action against the risks posed to the population of Ireland by the installations and operations at Sellafield". This working group, which includes a representative of the Department of Health, has already met the County Louth residents to begin the process of indentifying areas of possible research, and further meetings will be arranged.

As regards the specific areas of investigation which have been raised by the Deputies, I am aware of proposals by Dr. Chris Busby to carry out an epidemiological study on cancer incidence on either side of the Irish Sea and I am aware that the research of the late Dr. Patricia Sheehan is being continued by another researcher on a voluntary basis. I understand that the reported findings on vitamin and enzyme deficiencies are contained in a study being carried out by a general practitioner in the area — this study has not yet been published or made available to the health board or my Department. All of these areas of possible research will be considered by the working group.