Vol. 519 No. 6
55 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if any definite links have been discovered between the incidence of cancer here and the nuclear accident in Chernobyl some years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14571/00]
The National Cancer Registry is the body responsible for monitoring the incidence of cancer in the State. The registry collects, classifies, records, stores and analyses information relating to the incidence and prevalence of cancer and related tumours. There is no definite link between the fall-out from Chernoybl and the incidence of cancer.
Since the accident in 1986 at Chernobyl the environmental effects of the fall-out are being monitored on an ongoing basis. The fall-out from the accident was greatest in upland peaty areas of the country and coniferous forests. Sediment and fish from lakes in these areas and live sheep and sheepmeat are monitored on an ongoing basis. Contamination of game fish from lakes continues to be of negligible significance. The limited consumption of such fish means that the doses incurred by the public are not such as to cause any significant health risk.
