Vol. 478 No. 5
144 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will give details of Ireland's position as a member of the international atomic energy agency; the international atomic energy agency meetings held over the past two years; the personnel who attended and their input to such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/97]
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world's central intergovernmental agency for co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ireland's membership of the agency ensures that we have a direct say in ensuring that the highest standards of nuclear safety, radiation protection and emergency preparedness apply in the nuclear industry worldwide and in influencing matters relating to nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation of nuclear materials, nuclear liability and compensation.
Ireland is represented at meetings of the IAEA by officials from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Radiological Protection Institute and the Attorney General's office. Many meetings have been serviced over the past two years including the following: quarterly Board of Governor meetings and the Annual General Assembly; ongoing negotiations on the conventions concerning nuclear safety, management of radioactive waste, and nuclear liability; a draft model Protocol to strengthen the effectiveness and improve the efficiency of the nuclear safeguards system; meetings concerned with aspects of the control of materials and technology which could be used to produce or deliver nuclear weapons; and administrative, budget and technical co-operation meetings.
