Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Nuclear Waste.

John Ellis

Question:

274 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, he has taken to make a submission to the British Department of the Environment regarding the Nirex memorandum on the economics of the rock characterisation facility commissioned by Friends of the Earth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6639/97]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

279 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, the Irish Government has made in examining the way a legal challenge can be made to stop the development of an underground coastal dump by the United Kingdom company, Nirex Limited, near Sellafield. [6862/97]

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

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 274 and 279 together.

I refer the Deputies to my answer to Questions Nos. 39, 40 and 42 of 12 February 1997. In the light of additional information that has recently come to hand concerning Nirex's proposal for the construction of an underground rock characterisation facility near Sellafield, the UK Department of the Environment decided in February last that it would be appropriate to provide parties who appeared at the public planning inquiry in Cumbria with the opportunity to submit their observations.

This latest documentation confirms my concerns over the negative implications of the proposal as regards environmental protection of the Irish Sea and reinforces my view that plans for the development of an RCF in the Sellafield area should now be abandoned. My Department have examined this additional information and a comprehensive submission was forwarded by me to the UK authorities last week.

The Deputies will be aware that yesterday in London I highlighted publicly my concerns and objections. I have arranged for a copy of my submission to be sent to the Deputies. As I understand it the results of this consultation process will eventually be considered by the UK Secretary of State for the Environment when he adjudicates on the appeal taken by UK Nirex against the refusal of planning permission for the construction of the facility. In the meantime, I am considering, in consultion with the Attorney General, what future options are available to me at EU and international level in the event of the grant of planning permission for the repository.