Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Euratom Treaty Review.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

32 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, there are to review Article 34 of the Euratom Treaties during the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference in view of persistent concerns regarding safety breaches by United Kingdom nuclear operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10871/96]

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

Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty confers a regulatory role on the EU Commission in relation to "particularly dangerous experiments" which derive from nuclear activities for civil purposes. It has been raised previously in the House in the context of the recent French nuclear testing in the Muroroa Atoll. The European Commission has already decided that Article 34 did not apply to French nuclear testing in Polynesia.

While I am deeply concerned about the safety of the British nuclear industry, I am unaware of any activities being undertaken in Britain which would fall within the terms of Article 34.

Amendment of Article 34 must be assessed by reference to a general review and update of the health and safety provisions of Euratom. I consider these provisions to be relatively weak, and therefore greater emphasis needs to be placed on the health, safety and environmental aspects in the Treaty. This issue has been raised by Ireland in the context of preparations for the Intergovernmental Conference which is considering amendments to the Treaties of the Union.

However, as I have stated on a number of occasions, any amendment to the Euratom Treaty would require the unanimous agreement of all member states. This unanimity would be difficult to achieve given the opposition of certain member states to any review of Euratom and the lack of enthusiasm for revision by others.

Having regard to the obvious instituational and substantive difficulties facing us in seeking to have the Eurotom Treaty amended, the Government is considering how to address the desirability of enhancing the health and safety provisions of the Euratom Treaty in the context of our EU Presidency and in the light of the further enlargement of the EU.

In relation to the United Kingdom nuclear operators, this Government has used, and continues to use, every opportunity at all appropriate international fora, in particular at the European Union level, at the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international fora, as well as direct representations to the United Kingdom Government, to highlight its concerns about the serious threat posed by the UK's nuclear industry, in particular the Sellafield plant, and about the level of safety in the UK's nuclear industry generally.