Broad aims

The broad aims of that strategy are to grow a level of awareness and implement measures needed to protect people in Ireland from the harmful effects of ionising (and non-ionising) radiation though scientifically based regulation, monitoring and advice.

General goals

As part of the strategy, we have set out some general goals

• Information about radiation protection must be readily available, accessible and understandable to a non-scientific audience, so that the public is confident of its ability to be protected from its harmful effects
• The information provided by the RPII must be scientifically-based and accurate at all times. It will seek to sustain its position as a trusted source of information to public and professional audiences in Ireland in this area
• The national regulatory infrastructure for practices and work activities involving ionising radiation must be complete and must function effectively. Identified gaps in the infrastructure, such as a national policy on radioactive waste disposal, must be successfully resolved
• A national strategy for addressing high radon levels in homes must be developed and implemented. This strategy needs to target, in particular, those who have not participated in previous studies, and the many new homes built in the last decade
• Following the Government decision to give responsibility for non-ionising radiation to the RPII (including the allocation of resources), these new work streams must be successfully integrated into the work of the RPII
• The RPII will continue to provide high-quality scientifically-based advice on radiation protection issues as an input to Government policy. A targeted research programme will support this advisory role.

Action plan

To achieve these goals, the RPII is involved in six main areas of action

1. To regulate all users of ionising radiation
2. To monitor radiation levels and assess health impacts through direct measurement and through the provision of radiation protection services
3. To advise the Government, the public and other State organisations
4. To meet the organisational challenges that ensure the resources, skills, finances, governance and compliance infrastructure is robust and that appropriate management information systems are in place
5. To communicate and influence those in a position to act, based on sound scientific research and best practice
6. To undertake research to support the RPII’s work and to enhance the standing and knowledge of the RPII.

RPII Action Plan under the Croke Park Agreement

The Public Service or "Croke Park" Agreement is a commitment by public servants to work together to change the way in which the Public Service does its business so that both its cost and the number of people working in the Public Service can fall significantly, while continuing to meet the need for services and improve the experience of service users.

The RPII publishes it's Action Plan, where it sets out its committment to delivering on the Croke Park Agreeement.

As part of its ongoing committement to changing the way the Public Service works the RPII has carried out a quarterly review of it's Action Plan.

A reivew of the RPII's Action Plan covering the period from April 2011 to September 2011 is published.

The RPII publishes its 2012 Action Plan, where it sets out its ongoing committment to delivering on the Croke Park Agreement.

Specific objectives

The general goals of our strategy have been broken down into specific objectives which we aim to achieve by 2010. We aim to:

• Ensure that the current gaps in the implementation of statutory regulatory provisions in the medical, industrial and educational sectors are addressed
• Develop a regulatory enforcement policy
• Prepare a full set of guidance documents/codes of practice relevant to Irish licensees
• Ensure a consistent approach to the regulation of ionising radiation in the medical and dental sectors
• Obtain accreditation for the RPII’s inspection services
• Work to ensure that relevant activities are co-ordinated through other bodies
• Where necessary, review business processes and develop appropriate ICT support systems
• Make arrangements for RPII programmes and publications to be peer reviewed, as appropriate
• Ensure that monitoring programmes are implemented which are high quality, fit for purpose and efficient
• Ensure that the necessary information on radioactivity in the environment and on radiation doses received by the Irish population needed to provide authoritative advice is available
• Develop and maintain staff and technical resources in order to respond to customer needs
• Increase awareness among all key stakeholders of the RPII’s advice on radon
• Make both employers and homeowners more aware of the dangers of radon and increase the number of radon tests carried out every year
• Encourage the adoption and implementation of a National Radon Strategy by Government
• Achieve a Government decision that recognises the need for a national radioactive waste store
• Ensure that RPII takes over responsibility for certain aspects of non-ionising radiation with the necessary resources in place
• Develop the website as the primary communications tool of the RPII and improve its functionality in line with customer expectations
• Make the public and Government more aware of the actual risks following a nuclear accident and the actions that need to be taken
• Ensure that the Government is kept up to date with key radiation protection issues
• Provide efficient and effective corporate services that are in line with best practice, provide value for money and meet the needs of internal and external RPII customers
• Undertake research to support the monitoring, advice and emergency planning functions of the RPII
• Undertake research to maintain a high quality of measurement services.

Key performance indicators

The success of our strategy will be judged by concrete results. We hope to have achieved the following by the end of 2010 (or earlier, where indicated)

• The regulatory system covering the transport of radioactive materials will be fully up-to-date by the end of 2008
• The physical protection of radioactive sources will be incorporated into all inspections by the end of 2010 with priority given to the most hazardous sources during 2008
• Key regulatory guidance documents will available by the end of 2010
• Formal and regular contacts will be established with all relevant agencies involved in the regulation of ionising radiation in the medical and dental sectors by the end 2008
• RPII inspection services will be accredited by the end of 2008
• The RPII will develop an action plan seeking the adoption by Government of a national radioactive waste management policy
• A peer review of the RPII’s environmental monitoring programme will be undertaken in 2009 and of the RPII’s regulatory activities in 2010
• A compilation of RPII’s monitoring data will be published annually and the monitoring data on the RPII’s website will be updated on an ongoing basis
• The first comprehensive assessment of the doses to the Irish population will be published in 2008
• The RPII will actively promote the adoption of a National Radon Strategy during 2008
• The RPII will establish formal arrangements with all Government Departments and agencies with whom it interacts by the end of 2010
• The RPII’s responsibilities in relation to non-ionising radiation will be fully integrated into its existing work programme. The timescale for integration depends on initial approval by Government
• The RPII will undertake appropriate research and publish it in peer-reviewed journals
• A new RPII website will be launched by the end of 2008 and this website will be subject to regular updating and further development
• A centralised finance section aimed at improving service to customers will be established by the end of 2008
• An electronic record management system will be implemented as appropriate in 2009
• The human resource management system will continue to be updated in line with best practice.