Department updates National Plan on Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures

• Updating of plans, and associated exercises, part of ongoing and prudent contingency planning

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has published the updated National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures. This is Ireland’s fourth such national plan.
Such plans, and associated exercises, are updated regularly and routinely – to stress-test the systems and procedures that are in place to ensure that the Government, State agencies and industry are prepared to effectively manage a range of potential, hypothetical scenarios. Such plans play a key role in ensuring a coordinated response to significant incidents in the unlikely or rare event that they occur, and are in line with international best practice.
The plan sets out the steps for a national response to such an emergency exposure accident or incident from abroad, 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), as provided for under Government’s Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework. These structures set out the appropriate steps, responsibilities and procedures to any such event.
Following the exercising of the 2019 national plan in September 2022, the plan has been reviewed and updated – based on work undertaken to address recommendations from the exercise; on independently verified atmospheric dispersion modelling conducted by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency); and in accordance with generic criteria for protective actions developed by international organisations. The recommendation for sheltering in Ireland is, therefore, no longer considered applicable and the ‘Go In, Stay In, Tune In’ message has been removed from the updated plan.
Extensive engagement with supporting Departments and key Agencies
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, along with the EPA, have undertaken extensive engagement with supporting Departments and key Agencies with roles and responsibilities during a national emergency exposure accident from abroad. The Department and the EPA have also consulted with the Office of Emergency Planning in the updating of the updated National Plan and engaged with the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. The role played by these bodies ensures a coordinated response to major incidents, should they take place.
While an event of this nature is highly improbable, the Government is aware of the impact it could have and is committed to ensuring that any such risks are minimised and that contingencies are addressed. The updated national plan, along with infographic and public information, is available at: National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures.
The national plan will be kept under review, to take account of changes or lessons identified from exercises and events, and changes to the nuclear landscapes of Ireland’s neighbouring countries.