asked the Minister for Energy if he is aware of the concern at the risk to health in the country from the discharge of radioactive waste at Sellafield; if he has been informed of the recent incident on 5 February 1986 and the representations he has made to the British Government.
Written Answers. - Discharge of Radioactive Waste.
34.
I am aware of the general concerns of the Irish public about the possible risk to health from discharges of radioactive waste from Sellafield.
I was not informed by the UK authorities of the incident on 5 February when a quantity of plutonium gas escaped in the building at the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant. When I became aware of the incident I immediately instructed my officials to convey my serious concern to the UK authorities and to seek an urgent meeting with them. The meeting of officials will take place tomorrow. My officials will seek details of the incident and its implications and will seek similar information about the incident on 24 January when 458 kilograms of uranium was discharged into the Irish Sea. They will also press for a satisfactory procedure for timely notification of incidents. I have also asked my officials to reiterate the Government's view that discharges of radioactive waste from Sellafield must be minimised and must be eliminated as soon as possible.
Following the outcome of this meeting I will decide what further action should be taken. If necessary I will seek a meeting with the appropriate Minister of the British Government.