Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 6

Written Answers. - Sellafield Nuclear Plant.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

156 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the positive steps, if any, this Government has taken to bring about a shut down of Sellafield; the success, if any, it has had in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12163/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Stagg)

I am constantly examining all possible avenues open to the Government to remove the serious threat posed by Sellafield and the UK's nuclear industry. The Government takes every opportunity to act on and voice its strong objections and concerns about the continuing activities at Sellafield. These concerns are repeatedly conveyed directly to the UK Government and at every possible EU and international fora.

The Government, in its policy agreement document A Government of Renewal has clearly set out its views on nuclear threats arising from Sellafield/THORP and other installations and has also made proposals for dealing with these concerns. A blueprint for action was drawn up to implement these proposals on Sellafield and the Irish Sea and are being co-ordinated by a Ministerial task force.

The Attorney General is keeping under review the possibility of legal action on Sellafield. While the Government has always been, and continues to be, committed to legal action to secure the closure of Sellafield, it cannot initiate such action without a firm legal case based on sound scientific evidence. In previous examinations of the issue, the advice given to Governments was that there was no sound scientific evidence available to allow for a legal case to be taken against the UK authorities.

The cessation of activities at Sellafield will remain a priority for the Government. I am committed to action and to implementing a strategy to minimise the threat posed by Sellafield, and indeed the nuclear industry worldwide. While I am aware of a shared environmental concern about Sellafield among a large cross-section of the UK population, the economic implications and employment factors mean that the closure of Sellafield is unlikely in the short-term. Apart from recourse to legal action which must rely on the advice of the Attorney General and the scientific evidence available, the focus of my attention will be on: (a) pressing the UK authorities to adopt and enforce the highest safety standards in relation to plant installations, waste management and reprocessing; (b) taking all steps to prevent any expansion of the nuclear industry in the UK by attempting to influence the UK authorities' decision-making as exemplified by my participation in the NIREX Public Planning Inquiry hearing in Cumbria; (c) urging the early closure of ageing Magnox nuclear reactors, including those at Sellafield, and (d) maximum participation at international fora and the promotion of the conclusion of new conventions such as those dealing with Nuclear Safety Waste Management and Liability for Nuclear Damage in order to secure the highest standards of safety and radiation protection in the UK and elsewhere.