I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
In 2002, as part of the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents, approximately 12.6 million iodine tablets were distributed by post to households nationwide. Each household received a packet containing six potassium iodate tablets BP85mg, which is sufficient to provide a single dose for each member of an average sized household.
The tablets were aluminium foil blister packed and sealed in a carton containing an information and instruction leaflet. Each carton delivered by An Post was in a sealed firm envelope labelled with appropriate warning statements and the name and address of the recipient. A public notice was placed in national newspapers at the time advising persons that these tablets were medicinal products and that they should be stored in a cool dry place, in their original sealed container and out of reach of children. While all medicines should be stored safely, I am advised that there is no significant risk from these tablets given that the average household will only hold one carton containing six tablets.
A further 1.6 million iodine tablets were distributed to health boards for persons who did not receive a supply of tablets or who did not receive a sufficient number of tablets via the postal distribution. Persons who do not have a supply of tablets for any reason should contact their local health board and arrange for the collection of the tablets required. The following table sets out relevant contact details.
Health Board
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East Coast Area Health Board
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Community Care Area 1, Dún Laoghaire — (01) 2365200
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Community Care Area 2, Clonskeagh, D. 6 — (01) 2680300
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Community Care Area 10, Wicklow Town — (0404) 68400
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South Western Area Health Board
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Dublin South City — (01) 6486500
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Dublin South West — (01) 4154700
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Dublin West — (01) 6206300
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Kildare/West Wicklow — (045) 876001
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Northern Area Health Board
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Community Care Area 6, Rathdown Rd., D. 7 — (01) 8680444
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Community Care Area 7, Richmond Rd., D. 3 — (01) 8575400
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Community Care Area 8, Cromcastle Rd., D.5 — (01) 8164200
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Midland Health Board
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Athlone — (0902) 83101
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Longford — (043) 50169
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Mullingar — (044) 39191
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Laois — (0502) 21135
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Offaly — (0506) 41301
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Mid-Western Health Board
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Community Care Area — Tipperary North — (067) 31212
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Community Care Area — Clare — (065) 6828525
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Community Care Area — Limerick — (061) 483712
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North Eastern Health Board
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(046) 9079483
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(046) 9023333
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North Western Health Board
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Sligo Area — (071) 9155100
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Donegal Area — (074) 9189118
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Leitrim — (071) 9650319
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South Eastern Health Board
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(056) 7784164
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(056) 7784114
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Southern Health Board
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Cork City — (021) 4923133
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North Cork — (022) 31855
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West Cork — (028) 40413
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Kerry — (066) 7184516
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Western Health Board
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Galway Area — (091) 523122
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Roscommon Area — (090) 6626518
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Mayo Area — (094) 9022333
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The Eastern Regional Health Authority, which managed this contract, has indicated that the cost of purchase and distribution of iodine tablets in 2002 was approximately €2.2 million. My Department is considering what further steps may be necessary regarding the use of iodine tablets as a counter- measure under the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents.