November Document of the Month
Fallout from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 26 April 1986
On 26 April 1986, the No 4 nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in the former USSR exploded, expelling large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere. The resulting fire took more than a week to extinguish, significantly exacerbating the accident’s environmental impact. While the fallout was concentrated most heavily in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, radioactive contamination was detected across Europe and further afield. Information on the severity of the accident was initially difficult to obtain, with the Soviet government slow to release details. Ireland’s embassy in Moscow proved to be a vital conduit for information over the following weeks and months while the Irish government also worked closely with its partners in the European Community to devise a common strategy for dealing with Chernobyl’s impact on Europe’s agriculture and trade relations.
Telex copy requesting information on the explosion at the Chernobyl power plant, 29 April 1986
Copy of a telex sent by the Department of Foreign Affairs to Ireland’s embassy in Moscow requesting any information available on the accident at Chernobyl. The request reflected the difficulties faced by the international community in securing early and reliable information from the Soviet government on the severity of the incident. Ref. NAI/DFA 2016/22/1441/4
Nuclear Energy Board statement, 12 May 1986
A statement from the Nuclear Energy Board concerning the levels of radioactive contamination in Ireland’s milk supply. According to the Board’s observations, Ireland suffered from significantly lower levels of radioactive fallout than many other parts of Europe. Ref. NAI/DFA 2016/22/1441/1
Policy steering note extract, 28 May 1986
Extract from a policy steering note circulated by Colm McGrady of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Irish government’s main goal in the aftermath of Chernobyl was persuading its European Community partners to work together to ensure that the highest safety standards were maintained at all nuclear installations. See 2016_022_1441_2 for full file
Invitation to a seminar in response to public concerns about radiation
An invitation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Peter Barry from Hugh Quigley of the University Industry Centre at UCD. Quigley hoped the Minister would attend a seminar on radiation organised by UCD and St Vincent’s Hospital in response to public concerns about the health hazards associated with the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident. Ref. NAI/DFA 2016/22/1441/3
