Vol. 485 No. 2
42 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the concerns, if any, her Department has expressed regarding the stated unsafe nature of a nuclear dumping facility at Dounreay, Scotland; and the actions, if any, her Department intends to take in expressing this concern to the British Government. [22734/97]
The operation of the Dounreay nuclear power plant, in particular the nuclear waste in a disposal shaft on the site, is of concern. These concerns relate to the continued accumulation of radioactive wastes at the site, radioactive discharges into the environment, the continuation of reprocessing activities and the number of radioactive "hot spots" which have been detected near to the site. The Government's views on these matters have been raised with the UK authorities and will be discussed further at a meeting between officials in January.
Earlier this year, in the context of the consultation process on an application by the Dounreay operators for revised discharge authorisations, my Department wrote to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, SEPA, expressing the Government's concerns about the Dounreay plant, including the condition of the intermediate level waste disposal shaft.
The Scottish Secretary recently invited SEPA to undertake a second round of consultation on the application. My Department in conjunction with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, will participate in this consultation process.
In relation to the waste disposal shaft on the site, I understand from the British authorities that a formal recommendation has been made by the plant operators to the UK Department of Trade and Industry, proposing that the waste in the shaft be retrieved, packaged and stored above ground. A decision on the matter has not yet been made but I welcome any efforts which will lead to a safe resolution of this serious problem.
While I am concerned about the operations at Dounreay, I am advised by the RPII that our marine environment is not immediately threatened. While steps are being taken by the UK regulatory authorities to protect the environment, I am monitoring developments.
