Bernard Allen
Question:12 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Energy whether he has referred to Euratom the question of the continued operation of magnox reactors in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Magnox Reactors.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that "Euratom" does not exist as a separate entity, and it is, therefore, impossible to refer anything to "Euratom". The Euratom Treaty deals with all aspects of atomic energy within the EC. If the Deputy is asking whether the Euratom Treaty has been examined to see whether scope for closure of the magnox stations exists within the Treaty, I can assure him that it has been closely examined by the Attorney General's Office, and that the Treaty does not offer such scope. The major difficulty with the Treaty from our viewpoint appears to be that it gives the Commission very limited powers in relation to individual stations.
Because of this difficulty, our approach to the problem of the operation of magnox reactors to the UK has to be on two fronts: firstly, their inclusion in the nuclear safety work of the EC. In this regard we have succeeded in getting these reactors specifically dealt with in the Commission work on technological problems of nuclear safety. Secondly, on a bilateral level, we have put pressure on the UK to close these reactors. Ireland is not a lone voice in this regard. There is a widely held view that old magnox reactors cannot achieve modern safety standards. Long term safety reviews being carried out by the UK's regulatory body have led to the closure of one magnox power station, Bradwell in Kent. I am optimistic that further closures will take place because of the difficulties associated with this type of plant and I will continue to work towards Ireland's objective of closure of all magnox reactors as soon as possible.
Will the Minister say whether under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty the British Government have laid before the Commission their plans for the decommissioning of these reactors which in some cases — as the Minister has said — has already commenced? Under Article 37, they are obliged to notify the Commission of any plans to dispose, which would have implications for other countries in the possible contamination of water, soil or air. Would the Minister not interpret that as requiring them to lodge with the Commission their plans for decommissioning their nuclear stations?
If the Deputy wants me to check with the Commission, I will be happy to do so, and let him have the information.
The Minister referred to pressure he was bringing to bear on the British Government to have those magnox reactors closed down. Will the Minister indicate what sort of pressure he is bringing to bear?
Every available opportunity has been taken by me since coming to office, and by my predecessors, and our efforts have been well publicised. Ministers from all parties in this Department have been active in bringing the concern of the Irish people to the attention of the British authorities with regard to these nuclear stations. Only as recently as yesterday, at the European Parliament Energy Committee, I made Ireland's position quite clear and a fortnight before that, at a meeting with the British ambassador, I clearly expressed our Government's views in this matter. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has availed of numerous opportunities to bring the Irish Government's views to the attention of the British Government and our views are well known internationally with regard to nuclear stations. It is only the combined pressure from ourselves and other groups in other countries that will ensure that action will be taken eventually. The best approach would be for the Commission to exercise their rights under the Euratom agreement to establish a European-wide inspectorate which hopefully would produce the evidence under which some kind of a legal case might be taken eventually. Because of the age of some of these stations and the bad record of accidents which have been amply recorded in various surveys by British authorities, we are very concerned.
Question No. 13.
A brief supplementary——
I am proceeding to another question. The House will agree that progress at Question Time today has been particularly sluggish. Twelve questions in nearly an hour is not satisfactory. Question No. 13, please.