Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 3

Written Answers. - Transfer of Uranium.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

190 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the Government's policy concerning proposals by the International Atomic Energy Agency to take 40kg. of irradiated enriched uranium from Iraqi research reactors to Chelyabinsk-65 in the Confederation of Independent States for reprocessing in view of the fact that at least three major leaks of radiation from Chelyabinsk-65 have occurred since 1950, making the nearby Techa lake the most radioactively contaminated lake in the world.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

I understand that the uranium in question is the property of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, who are extremely anxious to remove this material from Iraq, in accordance with Resolution 687 of the Security Council of the United Nations, to ensure that it is not diverted to non-peaceful uses. Most of the uranium involved is of Russian origin and the IAEA have been seeking a reprocessing plant willing to take it for the past two years. I am aware that the transfer of the enriched uranium to Chelyabinsk-65 reprocessing plant is presently being considered as a solution to the problem but no final contract has yet been signed.

The IAEA, of which Ireland is a member, is very concerned with the advancement of nuclear safety as well as the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and I am satisfied that, whatever decision is taken with regard to the final destination of the uranium in question, the appropriate safety standards will be applied. I understand that it would not represent a material change in the volume of material handled at the Chelyabinsk plant.