John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

While a number of studies have been conducted by relevant international organisations, no definitive conclusion has been drawn on potential adverse effects of the use of armaments and ammunition containing depleted uranium on human health and the environment. Ireland will continue to closely monitor developments in the analysis of the risks associated with the use of armaments and ammunition containing depleted uranium and welcomes the engagement of civil society, non-governmental organisations and the scientific community on the issue.

Regarding exposure to depleted uranium, there have been studies of the health of military personnel who saw action in the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991 and during the Balkan conflicts between 1994 and 1999. While it is not highly radioactive, depleted uranium is, nonetheless, a toxic metal and legitimate health concerns have arisen about its use on the battlefield. The studies carried out by international organisations have generally concluded that depleted uranium does not pose a significant radiological risk, while recommending various measures to reduce the potential health and environmental risks.

The World Health OrganiSation has noted that direct contact with depleted uranium metal, even prolonged, is unlikely to produce radiation-induced conditions or other effects. It has not identified long-term health consequences and has made a number of recommendations which Ireland fully supports. These include the monitoring and detection, following conflict, of levels of depleted uranium contamination in food and drinking water in affected areas where it is considered there is a reasonable possibility of significant quantities of depleted uranium entering groundwater or the food chain. Where justified and possible, clean-up operations in impact zones should be undertaken where qualified experts deem contamination levels to be unacceptable. Preventive measures should be taken where small children could be exposed to depleted uranium.

The UN Secretary General reported in 2008 on the views of member states and relevant international organisations and there will be a further report later this year. The report generally recognises the work done by the IAEA, the WHO and the United Nations Environment Programme in assessing the scale of the problem. It also points to the need for further studies and research to determine the impact of depleted uranium, as has the European Parliament.

The Department closely follows the valuable work of civil society on this issue. Officials from the Department met representatives of the International Campaign to Ban Uranium Weapons, ICBUW, in Dublin in June 2009 and again in both Dublin and New York in May 2010 and had very useful discussions. The Department communicated our view that to achieve an international ban, as they aspire to do, it would be necessary to conclusively establish the negative impact of depleted uranium on human health and the environment. Studies and work by reputable international organisations, including the WHO and the IAEA, will therefore be critical in quantifying the risks and conveying them internationally. The Government will continue to closely monitor the international debate on the issue.