Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of radioactive contaminants that can be treated using iodine in tablet form; the number of these contaminants which are in use at Sellafield; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12432/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Iodine tablets offer protection from radioactive iodine. Those principally produced in a nuclear reactor are iodine-131, iodine-132, iodine-133 and iodine-135, of which iodine-131 is normally the most significant in terms of radiation dose. Radioactive iodine is no longer produced at Sellafield since the closure of the Calder Hall reactors in March 2003. The Deputy may wish to note that in recent years the threat to Ireland has significantly reduced due to the closure of a number of the older reactors in the UK. A programme of further closures over the next five years is planned.