Vol. 477 No. 2
88 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the proposed research into cancer-related illnesses which is due to be carried out by the North Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8874/97]
Limerick East): The Government is committed to exploring all possibilities of obtaining evidence which could better inform consideration of the legal and other avenues available to the State to eliminate or limit the risks posed to the Irish population by Sellafield. To that end, the ministerial committee on Sellafield has sought and received from the North-Eastern Health Board a proposal for a comprehensive programme of research. The proposed programme would include studies of the possible health effects of ionising radiation on the population in the area, the establishment of a surveillance system for congenital malformations in the area, and a research programme to determine the epidemiology of cancers in the region and to report on the risk factors for the population. This proposal is being examined at present.
