Vol. 488 No. 1
99 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the fact that pigeons found within ten miles of Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant are found to be radioactive; if she has satisfied herself that those pigeons cannot stray beyond the Sellafield area; and the implications, if any, this may have for the east coast of Ireland. [5502/98]
The Deputy will be aware that elevated levels of caesium-137 have been detected in feral pigeons living in the Sea-scale area close to Sellafield. Feral pigeons are highly territorial and are unlikely, therefore, to migrate any great distance. In addition, this type of pigeon is not normally consumed by the public.
Both my Department and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) have been in contact with the British authorities concerning this matter. Information has been provided on the progress of investigations and contact will continue as necessary.
In the meantime, the RPII have analysed a number of samples of wood pigeon, the type normally consumed by the Irish public, and the results indicate that the levels of caesium-137 are below the levels of detection.
