Noel Dempsey
Question:20 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the action being taken by the Government to support the four Dundalk citizens in their case against the British nuclear industry. [3580/97]
Written Answers. - Nuclear Safety.
The Government decided on 5 November 1996 to offer State financial assistance and other support to the County Louth residents taking court action against BNFL. The assistance applies to specific items of scientific investigation, research and other work to be identified. The Government also decided to seek agreement for the removal of the State as a defendant from the action being pursued by the residents.
Details of the decision were subsequently conveyed to the Louth residents at a meeting with members of the Ministerial Committee on Sellafield and the Irish Sea. Matters discussed included access to scientific reports and other relevant documents held by Departments and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) and identification of other possible areas of support. The residents were invited to explore possibilities in this regard and to submit proposals for consideration. These are awaited.
Information on documentation held by the Departments of Transport, Energy and Communications, Environment, Health and the Marine and the RPII has been made available to the Louth residents, as well as copies or summaries of many of the documents concerned. Other documents which the residents may regard as relevant to the preparation of their case can be supplied on request. In addition, the Department of Health has offered to make medical and statistical experts available for a meeting to assist the residents with the interpretation of health related data.