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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1980

Vol. 323 No. 8

Written Answers . - Nuclear Research and Training .

420.

asked the Minister for Energy: (1) if the sub-critical device, otherwise known as the "student training reactor" was donated to UCC under the "Atoms for Peace" programme of the US Government and, if so, the terms of the agreement under which the device was donated; and if not, the terms of agreement under which the device was donated; (2) the nature of the research (a) which was to be done, (b) has been done and (c) is being done on the reactor; if the results of the research have been published; if so, when and where; if not, when and where such results will be published; and (3) if the reactor was approved by the Irish Government; if so, (a) when, (b) the terms of approval and (c) who gave permission and when for the installation of the nuclear device in UCC, (d) the conditions of the approving body, (e) if these conditions were adhered to, (f) if an approval of installation report exists and, if so, from whom it may be obtained.

: The sub-critical device otherwise known as the "student training reactor" was acquired by University College, Cork, under a grant provided by the Government of the United States of America in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement for Co-operation between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States and which came into force on 9 July 1958. The agreement was published in the Treaty Series No. 19 of 1958, and the terms of the Agreement were laid on the Table of Dáil Éireann (Pr. 3686). The agreement was amended and extended by subsequent agreements dated 7 August 1963 and 12 June 1968 which were published in the Treaty Series (No. 4 of 1964 and No. 13 of 1968) and laid on the Table of Dáil Éireann (Pr. 7638 and Pr. 1405).

A further agreement dated 24 March 1960, concerning the acquisition of certain nuclear research and training equipment and materials effected by exchange of notes between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America, entered into force on 7 April 1960. The terms of this agreement were approved by Dáil Éireann on 5 April 1960. As some of the material requested under the terms of this agreement fell outside the categories covered by the agreement for co-operation, it was necessary to amend the relevant Article (No. V) of that agreement. This amendment was approved by the Government at the same time as the 1960 agreement and entered into force on 30 March 1961.

Following Ireland's entry to the European Communities, the Agreement for Co-operation between Ireland and the United States was superseded by the Co-operation Agreement between the United States and EURATOM in relation to items which had not been supplied prior on that date.

The supply of information as to the nature of the research and other questions relating thereto is a matter for the authorities of University College, Cork.

It will be appreciated that the device was acquired before the Nuclear Energy Board were established but general approval for the installation of the device was implied by the Government's participation in the agreements already mentioned. The device was subsequently licensed by the Nuclear Energy Board under the provisions of the Nuclear Energy (General Control of Fissile Fuels, Radioactive Substances and Irradiating Apparatus) Order, 1977). For reasons of radiation safety, security and commercial confidentiality it is not the practice to give details of the conditions on which licences of this nature are granted.

421.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will state in respect of the "student training reactor" donated to UCC (1) the nature of the work the reactor is designed to do, its functions and its working specifications; (2) the monitoring which was, and is, obliged to be carried out by the Physics Department of UCC by law or under international agreements; the frequency of such monitoring, and the results and dates of each specific monitoring; (3) the country and area of origin of the 2½ tons of uranium which, according to one of the college's professor's is held in the college for use in the nuclear device; the amount of uranium in UCC; how it is stored; and how much is used in the nuclear device; and (4) if any other radioactive substances are held in UCC; if so, if he will give details of the use, quantity and particular type of each substance.

: Information as to the nature of the work the device is designed to do, its functions and its working specifications and also the area of origin and other details as to the uranium held in the college is a matter for the authorities of University College, Cork. The device is subject to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency and by the Commission of the European Communities. Inspection is carried out at yearly intervals as a minimum and there has never been an adverse report by these authorities as to the safety of the device. The device is also subject to licensing by the Nuclear Energy Board and from the inspections and monitoring carried out, the board are satisfied that the unit is being maintained and operated in a safe and secure manner.

Control of radioactive substances is exercised by the Nuclear Energy Board, but for reasons of radiation safety, security and commercial confidentiality it is not the practice to publicise information about such substances, which is obtained on a confidential basis.

422.

asked the Minister for Energy: (1) the institutions, companies and individuals that have made funds available to (a) the Physics Department of UCC, (b) each institution in the Thirty-Two Counties maintaining a Physics Department; when these fundings and grants were made, the amount and purpose of each such funding and the terms of each such funding with regard to the research undertaken and its results; (2) if the "student training reactor" is the only nuclear device in UCC; (3) if other nuclear devices are maintained, and for what purposes, in the Thirty-two Counties, giving full details as to type, location and operation of each such device; (4) if there are plans (a) to extend the nuclear training programme in UCC and (b) to initiate or extend such training programmes at any location within the Thirty-two Counties; and (5) if it is intended that technicians trained on the UCC device should work in Ireland.

: The Deputy will appreciate that most of the information requested by him relates to activities, plans etc. of bodies over the policies of which I have no jurisdiction. I am not, therefore, in a position to supply such information. In so far as such activities or plans might involve the acquisition of radioactive material, the acquisition and use of such material would be subject to the statutory licensing procedures of the Nuclear Energy Board.

423.

asked the Minister for Energy: (1) if the "student training reactor" in UCC produces waste; if so, in what form, including water, solids or other protective methods; and how and where such waste is disposed of and under whose supervision; (2) if planning permission was sought for this device; (3) if the existence of the UCC reactor and its continuing operation in any way preempts the proposed public inquiry into nuclear power; and if he will now specify the terms of reference of the proposed inquiry; and (4) if evacuation plans were drawn up before the reactor was licensed.

: (1) The operation of the "student training reactor" in University College, Cork does not give rise to radioactive waste requiring disposal.

(2) It is suggested that this question should in the first instance be addressed to the authorities of University College, Cork.

(3) I am advised that it is misleading to refer to this device as a reactor. It is a sub-critical assembly of nuclear material in which the self-sustaining fission chain reaction cannot be established and maintained. Its existence does not in any way pre-empt decisions on the nuclear option for power production in Ireland. The terms of reference of the proposed inquiry have not yet been determined.

(4) As the device is not a reactor, an emergency evacuation plan of the type implied in the question is not relevant.

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