Vol. 470 No. 6
7 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, made in reviewing the Euratom Treaty provisions with regard to nuclear safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19557/96]
In my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 2 July last I set out Ireland's general position concerning review of the health and safety provisions of the Euratom Treaty. In that reply I highlighted the particular relevance of additional nuclear safety provisions to the further enlargement of the EU.
On 19 July last the Irish delegation to the Intergovernmental Conference submitted a discussion paper on the subject of the Euratom Treaty in the context of EU enlargement. The main purpose of the discussion document was to promote discussion on the challenges of enlargement as regards ensuring high standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection in the EU.
On the basis of initial consideration of Ireland's discussion paper there would appear to be little support for addressing this issue by means of an amendment to the Euratom Treaty at present. As the Deputy is aware, any amendment of the EU Treaty requires unanimity. There are, of course, widely diverging views among member states about the benefits of nuclear power. There are also different perceptions as to whether the strengthening of nuclear safety can best be addressed by means of a Treaty change. The future approach by the Irish delegation to the issue will take account of the above considerations.
