asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of each of the last five calendar years (or other periods for which the figures are available) the amount and value of radium used in the State.

From information received by the Consultative Cancer Council in the course of its investigations the quantity of radium element available in the country is 1450.7 milligrams. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of the present value of this radium as it is held in different forms, and has been acquired over a period of years. It would probably cost at current prices about £13,050 to purchase the quantity mentioned.

It is not possible to state the amount and value of radium used in each of the last five calendar years. Radium element, however, does not deteriorate appreciably in use.