Civil Defence plays an important role in the national plan for nuclear emergencies, namely;

(a) Nationwide monitoring of external gamma radiation dose rates.
(b) Collection of environmental samples and their delivery for laboratory testing.
(c) Checking as requested contamination levels on incoming vehicles, ships or aircraft and assisting in carrying out decontamination as required

- Monitoring of external gamma radiation doses is supplementary to the automated nationwide system operated by the RPII . In an emergency, Civil Defence measurements can provide a more detailed picture of the situation at local level. These measuremants are taken with the Graetz dose rate meter.

- Environmental samples such as milk, grass, water, vegetables etc. are collected and bagged securely. They are then sent for analysis to establish levels of radioactivity present.

- Checking incoming vehicles/ships/aircraft is not too relevant in Laois as we are an inland county with no airports. Decontamination however may be called for and Civil Defence can assist with this as required.

- An additional role is to set up a local information service to provide information and advice to the local population.

The Laois Civil Defence Radiological Emergency Plan sets out the procedures to be followed to carry out these roles.

The outline of the plan is as follows:

1. Purpose of Plan.

2. Outline of National Plan.

3. Functions of Civil Defence.

4. Notification of Personnel.

5. Actions on Notification.

6. Static Monitoring.

7. Mobile Monitoring.

8. Activating County Control.

9. Collection of Samples.

10. Local Information Service.

11. Equipment.

12. Keys

13. Names, Contact Details of Key Personnel / Organisations.

An example of an exercise carried out to exercise the plan can be seen here.