Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The work the RPII has done to create awareness about radiological issues is commendable. It was able to do so because it had a single management with a board focused on the narrow objective of protecting people from nuclear fall-out and radon gas. Now, the Government is putting it into a conglomerate with six other different activities, all of which will be competing for the same funding and all of which will operate depending on the quality of management in its hierarchical structure. There is no statutory underpinning or identification of the particular role of the RPII within the name of the EPA or in the legislation.

I am concerned about this. That is not to take away from the assurances given by the Minister of State. However, experience has taught me that politicians, in good faith, will give assurances but they are never around to carry them out. It is the people behind them who are there permanently, most of the time nameless, who must carry these assurances out. Precautionary measures need to be put into this legislation which this amendment would do. I am disappointed the Minister of State is not accepting it.