andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy if Ireland has received any information from the UK authorities about the siting of nuclear power stations under the EEC procedures for the exchange of such information.
Written Answers. - Siting of Nuclear Power Stations.
370.
The siting of nuclear power stations is the responsibility of the member states of the European Community.
Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty requires each member state to submit to the Commission such general data concerning any plan for the disposal of any kind of radioactive waste as will enable the Commission to determine whether the implementation of such plan is likely to involve radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another member state. The Commission are required, after consultation with a group of national experts, to give their opinion on the plan within six months. Through this procedure information is available about UK nuclear installations. In addition, close co-operation and liaison is maintained by the Nuclear Energy Board with the relevant UK regulatory agencies in regard to nuclear safety related matters.
A proposal for an EEC Council regulation concerning the introduction of a Community consultation procedure in respect of nuclear power stations likely to affect the territory of another member state has been under examination at Community level for some time but, so far, agreement has not been reached.