Interview with Mr Ramzi Jammal, Team Leader of the IRRS Mission

Hungary hosted its first Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ten years ago, with the follow-up mission taking place three years later, in 2018. In connection with the second full-scope IRRS mission, launched on 6 October, Mr Ramzi Jammal, Team Leader, provided an overview of the mission’s preparation and its practical implementation during the two-week review period in Hungary.

Could you please describe the preparatory phase of this IRRS mission from your perspective? What were the key steps involved, and how was the expert team assembled?

From my perspective as Team Leader, the preparatory phase of the IRRS mission was anchored by the excellent work carried out by the HAEA staff in responding to the IAEA’s initial questionnaire. Their thorough and timely submission provided a solid foundation for shaping my strategy and planning the conduct of the mission.

I carefully reviewed all the materials submitted, which offered valuable insights into the national regulatory framework and the implementation of safety standards. These documents helped me identify key focus areas and potential challenges early on.

To ensure alignment and clarity, I held preliminary meetings with the international expert team. These discussions allowed each expert to share their initial impressions of the module they were assigned and helped us establish a shared understanding of expectations, priorities, and the scope of the review. This collaborative approach was instrumental in building cohesion within the team and setting the stage for a productive and well-coordinated mission.

Hungary hosted a full-scope IRRS mission ten years ago and a follow-up mission three years later. To what extent do those previous missions provide a foundation for the current one, or is this mission approached as a completely new review?

Hungary hosted a full-scope IRRS mission ten years ago, followed by a subsequent follow-up mission three years later. While those previous missions do not serve as a direct foundation for the current review, they have been instrumental in supporting knowledge management and informing the development of HAEA’s current structure.

The organizational changes that have taken place since 2022 are particularly noteworthy. Establishing an independent regulatory body within such a short timeframe is a significant achievement, and it would be remiss not to acknowledge the scale and complexity of this accomplishment.

This IRRS mission is being conducted as a standalone review, tailored to the current context and structure of HAEA. However, relevant insights and lessons from the previous missions have been considered where applicable to ensure continuity and informed evaluation.

How is the work of the two-week mission structured? What are the main activities and milestones the team will focus on during this period?

Yes, the two-week IRRS mission is highly structured, with clearly defined activities and milestones. The IRRS team is here to provide a service to HAEA—not to conduct an inspection, but to engage in a peer review process. This means our role is to review, learn from HAEA’s practices, and share the diverse experiences and expertise each team member brings.

As mentioned earlier, each expert was assigned a specific module aligned with their area of specialization. Our findings are based on factual evidence gathered through interviews with Hungarian counterparts, reviews of documentation, and direct observations.

It is our responsibility as a team to deliver a final report that is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. This report will reflect both strengths and areas for improvement, grounded in international standards and best practices.

Before finalizing the report, HAEA will receive a draft version for fact-checking and review. Their input will be carefully considered to ensure accuracy and mutual understanding before the report is finalized.