Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Stocks are available to the best of my knowledge. The national emergency plan for nuclear accidents is evolving, and it is also on an international level.

The Deputy's first question was on simulated emergency exercises. There has been a number of these. I know that some at sea have been done this summer, and a very big one has been carried out in Dublin Airport. That was a simulation of a major crash, and all services were used. It took several hours in late spring. The exercises continue so that we can consider response times and difficulties that might arise.

There are approximately three exercises a year. Huge effort is put into them. There is now a dedicated staff working to determine responses and consider what happens with services in action. They report on what occurs and relevant organisations are engaged with on any difficulties which arise. A core group works on this service the whole time.

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