asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his strategy for securing the closure of the Sellafield nuclear plant; and if he will make a statement on his attitude to nuclear reactors.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sellafield Nuclear Plant.
39.
asked the Minister for Energy the representations he has made to the British Government regarding discharges to the environment from the Sellafield plant; the response these representations received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 19 together.
I have written to the UK Secretary of State for Energy, Mr. Peter Walker MP. I have sought an immediate end to reprocessing and closure of the plant as soon as possible. The Government are convinced that this approach is the only effective solution to the radioactive discharges from Sellafield into the Irish sea.
I have also drawn his attention to the resolution to close Sellafield unanimously passed by the Dáil on 3 December 1986. I have also indicated that the safety audit of the UK Health and Safety Executive on the Sellafield reprocessing plant is disturbing and reflects a lack of confidence in the plant even by the experts. I said that, although British Nuclear Fuels have been given a year to put matters in order, the Irish Government felt that the activities at Sellafield could not be restored to a safe standard.
I also expressed to Mr. Walker the Government's serious concern about the implications of the UK Government's decision to proceed with construction of the Sizewell B reactor as it seemed that Sir Frank Layfield's report did not fully pursue all safety aspects or take account of the Chernobyl accident. I also expressed concern about the longer term implications of this decision as a step towards a programme involving the possible location of further nuclear power stations much closer to our territory.
Finally, I expressed concern about the old magnox reactors which lack secondary containments and which might not meet the best modern safety standards. I indicated that the Government had a responsibility to the Irish people to seek to minimise the risk of their exposure to the hazards of nuclear accidents. I requested that these old magnox reactors should be phased out.
I indicated that I would welcome discussions with Mr. Walker on these issues and I am awaiting a reply.
First, can the Minister tell us what are the prospects he foresees of closure within a reasonable period and for how much longer must we endure the type of accident record we have experienced from this plant? What steps has the Minister taken to contact the Scandinavians? In recent newspaper reports he was quoted as saying he was contacting them in order to involve them in this campaign to close Sellafield.
I share the Deputy's concern that this menace on our doorstep should be closed as soon as possible. I have written a letter to the Secretary of State in the strong terms I have outlined to the House and I am awaiting a reply. I look forward to discussing this subject with the Secretary of State at the first available opportunity. As far as the Scandinavian involvement is concerned, I am in contact with the ambassadors of the countries involved with a view to setting up a series of meetings with the appropriate Ministers on that issue.
Does the Minister foresee that having more effect than an approach through the European Community, of which Britain is a member, through which it would appear we would have more leverage?
I intend to use every avenue available to me to see that the health and safety of the Irish people will take precedence in this question rather than any military needs of reprocessing or civilian needs at Sellafield.