Vol. 482 No. 7
26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has secured the agreement of the International Maritime Organisation to proposals for changes in the regulations governing the transportation by sea of nuclear materials; if he will outline the proposed changes in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19028/97]
47 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has secured the agreement of the International Maritime Organisation to proposals for changes in the regulations governing the transportation by sea of nuclear materials; if he will outline the proposed changes in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19027/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 47 together.
I assure the House of my commitment to improving the conditions under which nuclear materials are transported around our coast. With this in mind I will be attending the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation next Monday. I intend to press the Assembly to agree that the code governing the transport by sea of irradiated nuclear fuels — INF Code — be adopted as a mandatory binding code by IMO member states. I also intend to present a draft resolution on notification in relation to the safe carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes in flasks on board ships. The purpose of this resolution is to put in place arrangements for notifying coastal states of the passage of vessels carrying nuclear material near their coasts.
