From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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A training exercise was held yesterday (Thursday, 29 September) to test the national response to a nuclear emergency. The exercise, which took place in the National Emergency Coordination Centre, practised the systems and procedures outlined in the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures to ensure that the government and State agencies are prepared to effectively manage the response to a range of potential scenarios. Such exercises are crucial to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies, in the highly unlikely event that they occur.
The National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures details Ireland’s planning and preparedness for a national response to a major nuclear emergency. It sets out the trigger points for the plan to be invoked, which would require the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) to be convened, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. These include notifications to Irish authorities of nuclear or radiological emergencies abroad.
While an event of this nature is highly improbable, the government is aware of the impact it could have on Irish households and businesses and is committed to ensuring that any such risks are minimised and that contingencies are addressed.
It is a statutory requirement that national nuclear emergency exercises are organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the last exercise taking place in 2017. Planning for this event commenced last year.
Such exercises are part of regular and prudent government planning for national emergencies, and follows on from exercises held earlier in September to test the response to a hypothetical disruption to Ireland’s energy supply.
ENDS
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. The agency protects people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and pollution, and plays key roles in environmental regulation, provision of knowledge and advocacy for the environment.
The National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures was prepared in line with the emergency preparedness and response provisions of the Euratom Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive – Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom and builds on the previous plan, experience in this area and international best practice.
This plan has a statutory basis in the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2019 – S.I. 30 of 2019 – Regulation 55. It is a statutory requirement (under S.I. 30 of 2019) that these exercises are organised by the EPA.
The plan sets out steps for a national response to an emergency exposure situation, and the subsequent transition to a managed existing exposure situation. The plan provides for the 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 plan recognises the role of the EPA as the primary competent authority for the response to a nuclear or radiological emergency exposure situation.
The plan is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.