The Laois Radiological Emergencies Plan is currently being updated in preparation for a national exercise of the plan being conducted by the RPII in conjunction with Civil Defence and other state bodies.

The plan sets out the role and functions of Civil Defence in County Laois in the event of a peacetime nuclear emergency. Civil Defence is responsible for static and mobile dose-rate monitoring, environmental sampling and local public information services.

The plan evolved from the response to the Chernobyl Accident in 1986, when Civil Defence teams monitored the fallout which arrived in Ireland a week after the accident occurred. After the dust had settled so to speak, it was decided to place more emphasis on nuclear accident scenarios compared to the wartime preparations previously concentrated on.

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