asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a detailed report on the meeting in Berlin in early June 1983 of the Paris Convention; the discussions that have taken place with Britain on the question of the dumping of nuclear waste and on the ratification of the Paris Convention; and if he will immediately open discussions with Britain on the question of nuclear waste discharge from land-based sources in accordance with Article 9 of the Paris Convention.
Written Answer. - Nuclear Waste.
315.
As regards the first part of the question, a report on the outcome of the full meeting of the Paris Commission will be circulated by the secretariat in about one month's time. When the item on the agenda dealing with discharges of radioactive substances from land-based sources was under discussion the Irish representative set out this country's position on the matter and, in particular, expressed our concern to protect our marine resources, fishing, industry and coasts from pollution from whatever source and to protect man and the environment from excessive levels of radioactivity. Our representative requested the commission to initiate further scientific studies with the objective of determining more precisely the measures to be adopted to deal with radioactive discharges. The commission decided to refer specific question relating to such discharges to the Nuclear Energy Agency for further consideration.
Regarding the second part of the question, no bilateral discussions have taken place between the Irish and UK Governments on the question of dumping of nuclear waste. However, this matter was fully discussed at the recent meeting of the London Dumping Convention at which both Ireland and the UK were represented. At that meeting Ireland's position was fully outlined.
As regards the third part of the question, the necessary arrangements for the ratification of the Paris Convention by this country are at an advanced stage.
When the convention has been formally ratified our position on the question of nuclear waste discharge from land based sources will be reviewed with a view to initiating discussions with the UK in accordance with Article 9 of the convention.
I might add that preliminary discussions have already taken place about the possibility of concluding a formal intergovernmental agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom on the question of exchange of information about nuclear installations generally and the possibility of discharges from them.