Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 1

Written Answers. - Plutonium Shipments.

Ivor Callely

Question:

89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Energy the actions, if any, he has taken to date with regard to the proposed shipments of plutonium through the Irish Sea from January 1993; the results, if any, of his actions; the effect a plutonium shipment would have on the Irish public if the ship were destroyed or blown up in the Irish Sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

In relation to proposed shipments of plutonium through the Irish Sea, I have contacted the British authorities to express my particular concerns. In addition, I have asked the Japanese Government to arrange for the cessation of any proposed shipments between Japan and Sellafield.

I have been informed by the UK authorities that a shipment of plutonium from the UK to Japan is not scheduled for a few years. It is the UK's practice only to process and return plutonium if the recipient country adheres to the non-proliferation Treaty and has an appropriate internationally recognised safeguards regime in force to prevent any diversion of material for non-peaceful uses.

I have been assured that all shipments will meet or exceed all the relevant international safety standards. These include the use of containers designed to provide an extremely high degree of protection against fire, impact and other dangers. These international standards are kept under constant review and regularly updated to take account of experience and keep pace with technical devlopments; the most recent revision was published in 1990.

My Department will continue to raise this matter at all appropriate opportunities with the British authorities.