Donal Carey
Question:59 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Energy if has satisfied himself with efforts being made to date at EC and world level to deal with the dangers of nuclear installations in Eastern Europe.
Written Answers. - Nuclear Installations in Eastern Europe.
The international community has, of course, been seriously concerned for some time now that many of the nuclear power reactors in operation in Central and Eastern Europe do not meet international safety standards. Assistance from the European Community in the area of nuclear safety in these countries is channelled through two programmes of technical and economic assistance — one specifically in respect of the former USSR and the other under the so-called PHARE programme, covering Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the former Yugoslavia and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. Up to the end of 1991, the EC has committed funds to a total of 73 MECU, of which 20 MECU was made available under PHARE and 53 MECU was specifically earmarked for the new Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Actual projects based on this funding are expected to begin shortly.
The EC Commission has established a strategy for co-operation in nuclear safety with these countries, the objective of which is to reinforce their nuclear safety authorities, to strengthen co-operation at plant level, to perform safety reviews and to implement internationally-agreed safety recommendations. The Commission's efforts at this stage are focused on those installations which are a cause of most concern.
The EC is not alone in working towards improved safety standards in the nuclear field in order to reduce the risk of another accident of the Chernobyl type. Other international agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency have initiated co-operation programmes geared towards improving the safety status of nuclear installations. The EC PHARE programme, though managed by the EC Commission, is implemented in close collaboration with the IAEA. It also fits into the international framework of G-24 aid co-ordination, the purpose of which is to help the countries in Central and Eastern Europe to exercise their specific responsibilities in conformity with the highest standards of safety and the best international practices. Some of the Scandinavian countries have initiated bilateral programmes and major nuclear States like Japan and the US contribute individually to this work through the IAEA and the G-24 Group.
In the context of the European Energy Charter to which Central and Eastern European countries are parties, Ireland has pressed for the maximum emphasis on nuclear safety in the Protocol on nuclear energy which is currently being finalised. The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development has also indicated a readiness to assist with the rehabilitation of existing nuclear power stations.
I am satisfied that the European Community is fully committed to the international efforts now underway to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear installations in Central and Eastern Europe. I will continue to avail of every opportunity at EC level and in other international fora to ensure that this question is given the highest priority. Ireland will support all Community initiatives in this area in co-ordination with other countries and the relevant international Agencies.