National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures

The National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures updates and replaces the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents (NEPNA).

This National Plan sets out steps for a national response to such an emergency exposure situation, and the subsequent transition to a managed existing exposure situation. The same steps may be used as a response to a national emergency exposure situation that may arise from an accident or incident elsewhere abroad.

The central goal of the National Plan is to substantially reduce public exposure to any radioactive contamination which reaches Ireland as a result of an accident or incident abroad. It does this by setting out steps for the rapid implementation of protective measures in the hours and days immediately following the incident. These steps will substantially reduce public exposure to any radioactive contamination which reaches Ireland. This will in turn minimise the potential long-term health risks to the population.

The National Plan provides for use of the established structures of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group (NECG) in response to any such event, and sets out the appropriate steps, responsibilities, and procedures.

The National Plan recognises the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the primary competent authority for the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency exposure situation.