Radiological Protection Act, 1991

Regulations concerning levels of activity.

31.—(1) For the purpose of protecting individuals from radiological hazards, the Minister, after consultation with the Ministers for Agriculture and Food, Finance, the Environment, Health and the Marine and the Institute, may prescribe by regulations levels of activity (in this Act referred to as “prescribed levels”) in respect of animals, fauna, poultry, eggs, crops, carcases, feeding stuffs, fish, seaweed, bottled water or water supplies intended for human consumption or any food.

(2) Where regulations have been made under this section, or by the Council or Commission of the European Communities—

(a) food which contains a level of activity in excess of specified levels shall be deemed to be unfit for human consumption and the provisions of the Health Act, 1947 , shall apply accordingly,

(b) without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, milk which contains a level of activity in excess of specified levels shall be deemed to be milk not of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser for the purpose of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, 1875 to 1936, and

(c) any water supply (whether public or private) intended for human consumption which contains a level of activity in excess of specified levels shall be deemed to be unfit for human consumption and the Minister for the Environment, after consultation with the Minister and the Institute, shall give such directions as he considers necessary to the sanitary authority in whose sanitary district the water supply is located on measures to be taken in relation to the water supply, including measures for the protection and information of users of the water supply and the issuing of warning notices that the water therefrom is unfit for human consumption, and the sanitary authority shall comply with any such direction.