Ionising Radiation Regulations 2019
Regulations (S.I. No 30 of 2019) for the protection of workers and members of the public from the harmful effects of ionising radiation were signed into law on the 5th of February 2019. These Regulations, which are referred to as the Ionising Radiation Regulations of 2019 (IRR19), replaced S.I. No 125 of 2000.
The new Regulations introduce a number of important changes to the way in which the use of ionising radiation is regulated in Ireland.
The key changes are summarised below and further information can be found in our IRR19 guidance document.
Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) Mission to Ireland in January 2026
On request from Ireland, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) put together an international team of senior regulatory experts to review Ireland’s regulatory infrastructure for nuclear safety, radiation safety, radioactive waste, transport and the security of radioactive sources. This IRRS Mission took place between 19th and 28th January 2026. In preparation for the Mission, the EPA and HIQA along with their parent Departments carried out a self-assessment of Ireland’s regulatory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety against IAEA Safety Standards. This self-assessment formed the basis for the IRRS peer review. The report has now been published and is available here.
The IAEA press release with the key outcomes from the mission can be found here.
Return of disused sealed radioactive sources
The principal regulations governing the use of ionising radiation, including sealed radioactive sources, are the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2019, IRR19. The key regulations governing the repatriation of sealed radioactive sources when they become disused are Regulation 69 (3 c) and Regulation 18 (3) of IRR19.
- Regulation 69 (3 c) requires that a repatriation agreement (take back agreement) is put in place with the supplier or manufacturer of the source to ensure the safe return of the source when it becomes disused. The take back agreement with the original supplier is required prior to the acquisition of the sealed source.
- Regulation 18 (3) provides for the repatriation of disused sealed sources to a supplier or manufacturer.
By requiring that a take back agreement is in place with the original supplier Regulation 69 (3 c) ensures that a route exists for repatriation of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) and therefore prevents the accumulation of DSRS nationally. Regulation 18 (3) permits the return of a disused sealed radioactive sources to a supplier other than the original supplier. From the EPA’s perspective this is a supplier who is duly authorised by the Competent Authority in the recipient State to accept DSRS.
These regulations take precedent over licence conditions. These regulations also take precedent over section 6.2.2 of IRR19 Guidance which states "When sealed sources reach end of life/become disused, the sources must be returned to the
manufacturer/supplier as soon as possible"
The following exclusions apply
- These above provisions do not apply to other types of disused radioactive materials or radioactive waste. The exportation of radioactive waste other than disused sealed radioactive sources triggers Regulations 18 (1) (2) (4) (5) of IRR19 and SI No 86 of 2009and will require a separate regulatory approach. Example of such disused radioactive material or radioactive waste include unsealed sources, bulky material, aqueous waste, salts etc.
- High Activity Sealed Source (HASS).
The above provisions do not apply to HASS. Regulations governing the safe management of HASS, including the repatriation of HASS, are set out in regulations 70 and 71 of IRR19.
Patient protection
Responsibility for the public and staff protection remains with the EPA. However, responsibility for patient protection is with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). You will find the data sharing agreement between the EPA and HIQA here.
Graded authorisation
The system of graded authorisation comprises of both registration and licensing.
Registration has a lower cost and administrative burden and is appropriate to radiation practices, which have been shown to be of relatively low risk.
Licensing applies to higher risk practices. A full list of the practices subject to registration and licensing can be found in the Graded Authorisation section.
Regulatory fees
A new fee structure was introduced in tandem with graded authorisation. This fee structure was designed so that the charges are proportionate to the level of risk associated with the type of practices being carried out. The fees include separate authorisation and enforcement elements. Authorisation fees apply when an application is made to carry out a new practice or to significantly modify an existing practice. Enforcement fees apply to licensed practices and are charged annually. Enforcement fees cover the costs associated with guidance, inspection and licence amendments.
Dose limit for the lens of the eye
The dose limit for occupational exposure to the lens of the eye is 20 mSv in a single year or 100 mSv in any five consecutive years subject to a maximum dose of 50 mSv in a single year.
Strengthened arrangements for outside workers
The definition of an "outside worker" means “any exposed worker who is not employed by the undertaking responsible for the supervised and controlled areas, but performs activities in those areas, including apprentices and students”.
Changes to the Radiation Protection Officers (RPO) and Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) roles
The 2019 Regulations set out a more defined role for Radiation Protection Officers (RPO). The RPO is an individual or unit reporting directly to the undertaking with operational responsibility for radiation protection. In line with the 2013 Directive the 2019 Regulations replaced the previous requirement to appoint a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) with a requirement to consult with an RPA in specified situations.
Disposal of unsealed sources
IRR19 in line with the 2013 Directive no longer permits the deliberate dilution of radioactive materials for the purpose of them being released from regulatory control. The mixing of materials that takes place in normal operations where radioactivity is not a consideration, is not subject to this prohibition. The EPA may in certain circumstances authorise the mixing of radioactive and non-radioactive materials for the purposes of re-use or recycling.
Radon
IRR19 introduced more stringent protections for workers in workplaces with high indoor radon levels and in activities processing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). In line with the 2013 Directive the national reference level for radon levels in workplaces decreased from 400 Bq/m3 to 300 Bq/m3. Under IRR19 there is a general duty on employers to carry out radon measurements in underground workplaces and in above ground workplaces identified as being liable to have high radon levels (based on the EPA’s radon risk map).
Emergency preparedness
IRR19 introduced new requirements for undertakings responsible for certain types of practice covering emergency arrangements. The EPA will issue guidance to help undertakings to comply with these requirements.