Frances Fitzgerald
Question:108 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether there is a need for a European inspectorate in relation to nuclear facilities. [20205/97]
Written Answers. - Nuclear Safety Inspectorate.
As the Deputy is aware previous efforts to establish a European nuclear safety inspectorate have not been successful primarily becuase a considerable number of EU member states were opposed to the idea. Some nuclear member states insist that an independent inspection force to inspect the safety of plants on their territory is an unacceptable undermining of national sovereignty. Nonetheless it will continue to be Irish policy to favour in inspectorate.
While the concept of a nuclear inspectorate has not received acceptance in the EU there have been some positive developments elsewhere. Provision has been made in the International Energy Agency's Nuclear Safety Convention for "peer review". Under this process, each state will be able to review the legislative and regulatory framework that governs the safety of nuclear installations of other contracting parties, which would include all member states of the EU. It also provides for a review of the operational and safety procedures for nuclear installations and emergency preparedness.
In line with these enhancements relating to peer review, Ireland during its Presidency made proposals seeking to strengthen the health and safety provisions of the Euratom Treaty, including the establishment of a "peer review" process covering regulatory and supervision arrangements for nuclear installations in each member state. However, as amendments of the Euratom Treaty require unanimity, the widely diverging member state views about nuclear power prevented progress on the matter.
In the light of the Government's Action Programme which supports the establishment of an independent EU Agency for monitoring nuclear installations I will be seeking to establish the best way forward on this issue taking account of progress which has been made under the Nuclear Safety Convention.