Radioactivematerial couldbe landfilled

The Minister said “out of scope” or “exempt” naturally occuring radioactive material (NORM) could be dumped in the same manner as non radioactive waste.

The only UK facility for disposing of “non exempt” NORM is based at Drigg, Cumbria - not far from Sellafield.

Green Party MLA Stephen Agnew asked the Mr Attwood to detail the facilities that currently exist which would be capable of processing and disposing of NORM brought to the surface as a result of drilling for oil and gas.

Mr Attwood replied: “The processing and disposal routes for wastes containing NORM resulting from oil and gas production vary according to the concentration of radioactivity they contain.

“The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 defines what is radioactive for the purpose of regulation. NORM waste may be ‘out of scope,’ ‘exempt’ or ‘non exempt.’

“Out of scope or exempt NORM waste can be disposed of to a landfill in Northern Ireland in the same manner as non radioactive waste.

“NORM that is not exempt can only be disposed of to a facility that has an authorisation issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

“I have been advised that there are no such facilities in Northern Ireland. The only current facility for handling non exempt NORM in the UK is based at Drigg, Cumbria.”