The Department of Health has confirmed the distribution of iodine tablets to each household in the State began this morning.
It is expected that delivery will be completed over the next two weeks.
The issue of iodine tablets is part of the Government's National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents, and the tablets should offer a measure of protection from radioactive iodine.
The plan stresses that in the event of a nuclear fallout over Ireland, people should take other counter measures including remaining indoors and avoiding contaminated foodstuffs.
Each household will receive six Potassium Iodate Tablets BP 85mg in a sealed container along with an information and instruction leaflet. The tablets can be taken by anyone who does not have an iodine allergy or some specific rare medical condition.
According to the National Emergency plan people should take the tablet before radioactive fallout reaches their area, and only one tablet is needed if taken in time.
The distribution of iodine tablets came to public notice last September, when the then Minister of State for Energy Mr Joe Jacob was criticised for his handling of questions during an interview on RTE Radio on the issue of a nuclear accident and the Government's proposed response.
At the time Mr Jacob said the Government's plan was ranked the best in Europe, but his radio performance was widely felt to have been less than reassuring to a public worried about possible terrorist attacks on Sellafield following the attacks in the US on September 11th.