asked the Minister for Energy the progress which has been made in dealing with the present unsatisfactory arrangements for the disposal of radioactive waste highlighted by the Nuclear Energy Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Radioactive Waste Disposal.
10.
asked the Minister for Energy the proposals he has to set up a nuclear waste storage and disposal facility in this country to cope with radioactive waste from hospitals and research laboratories as recommended by the Nuclear Energy Board.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 22 together. The arrangements for disposal of radioactive waste in Ireland are adequate for the present but cannot continue indefinitely. My Department and the Nuclear Energy Board are continuing to work on finding a solution to the problem. I would like to reassure the House that there is no danger to members of the public from present arrangements.
Would the Minister outline for the House what progress has been made during the past six months, since the former Minister replied to questions, and indicate whether he has received any report from the Nuclear Energy Board on what can be done?
In regard to finding what?
An alternative system of disposing of radioactive waste. The report was less sanguine about the desirability of finding one than the Minister seems to be indicating.
I do not think so. I have practically quoted from the report.
Does the Minister feel he has been compromised in any way by British policy on nuclear power and on nuclear waste discharges and dumping? Does the Minister think that we should have our own policy for disposal of our waste, especially at a time when we are thumping tables about nuclear dumping by Britain? We are badly compromised in our dealings with Britain because of a lack of policy here.
I do not feel in any way compromised. There is very little nuclear waste emanating from this country, as explained in the Nuclear Energy Board report dated December 1988. The report says that the present system, whereby most of the waste ends up in sewers, is adequate for the moment but that should there be a substantial increase in usage, alternative means of disposal may be required and that if such a situation arose due consideration would have to be given to the provision of a national radioactive waste storage facility and incinerator.
The Minister may not be aware that two years ago a parliamentary delegation went from this House to Sellafield and the British nuclear fuel people were happy to point out that whilst we were complaining about their dumping, they were taking care of our waste. Will the Minister now take some positive action to eliminate that source of embarrassment and compromise that exists in relation to our attitude to Britain?
Efforts have been made to buy a site and we are awaiting the arrival of specialists in that area to advise us. I understand that there is a delay because of work they have on hand elsewhere, so we have to wait in the queue before we get the benefit of the advice from these experts. So far, no site for radioactive waste disposal has been identified here. Any proposal to build a radioactive waste disposal facility will have to take into account the legitimate concerns of people living close to the site. The Deputy knows how difficult it would be to find a suitable location. A consultation process will be necessary and it would possibly include participation by local interests in a trustee monitoring group. It is not something that we as a Government can just decide. I see a lengthy process of identification of suitable sites first, based on the recommendations of those suitably qualified, and then a consultation process with residents who may be in the vicinity of the suggested locations.
With regard to Sellafield, I do not have the evidence suggested by Deputy Allen. I am informed that sealed radiation sources used by the hospitals and the laboratories are currently returned to the suppliers abroad who are contracted to take them away after their useful life. The suppliers' method of waste disposal is not known to my Department.