Vol. 484 No. 4
30 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current progress made by the task force established to advise in relation to his contacts with the British Government on the dumping of radioactive materials in the Irish Sea; when the task force will report to him; if this report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22244/97]
Deputies will recall that following the revelation that dumping of radioactive waste had taken place in UK coastal waters, including the Irish Sea, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, I announced the establishment of a task force to assess the information received from the UK Government and to advise on the extent and impact of all information becoming available and the measures to ensure marine life and human health are fully protected.
Since then the task force has held a number of meetings and has been engaged in a detailed examination and analysis of the information made available by the UK authorities. Members of the task force have also been involved in bilateral contacts with the UK authorities with a view to seeking clarification and a mutual understanding in respect of the assessments on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Most recently, members of the task force, together with officials of my Department and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland were briefed in Dublin by a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the UK National Radiological Protection Board on the results of the independent assessment carried out by the NRPB of the radiological implications of dumping in Beaufort's Dyke and elsewhere, which was published on 24 November 1997.
Following the publication of the NRPB report I immediately instructed the task force to carry out a comprehensive examination of the report and to liaise closely with the NRPB on any issues or questions arising. The task force has since met to commence its assessment of the report.
I understand that the work of the task force is at an advanced stage. I expect that its report will be completed towards the end of this year or early in the new year. It is my intention to publish the report of the task force and to make a clear statement on the further action, if any, I intend to take in the light of its findings.
