Vol. 465 No. 3
240 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the further discussions, if any, that have taken place between his Department and the promoters of the rock characterisation facility in Cumbria in order to follow up the Nirex planning appeal public inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/96]
Direct discussions between my Department and United Kingdom NIREX Limited have not taken place and would not be appropriate in present circumstances. I am awaiting the outcome of the public planning inquiry in Cumbria where I made a detailed oral statement vigorously opposing the granting of planning permission for the construction of a rock laboratory in the general Sellafied area.
The inquiry inspector's report is not due to be completed until the end of October this year. The report will then be submitted to the UK Secretary of State for the Environment for a decision. Pending the inspector's conclusions and the Secretary of State's decision, I am examining options for future action in this matter. I am determined to use every effort to ensure that a radioactive waste repository will not be built next to the Irish Sea.
