Vol. 489 No. 5
10 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the discussions, if any, she has held with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland with a view to reinforcing the Government's concerns regarding the delay in decommissioning British magnox nuclear reactors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8384/98]
Magnox power stations are the oldest of the commercial nuclear installations in the UK — some such as those at Sellafield were built as far back as 1956. The Sellafield reactors have exceeded their design life by 20 years.
I have raised our concerns about Magnox reactors in the course of a meeting with the UK Minister for the Environment, Mr. Michael Meacher, MP, and in December last I received the UK Government's response from Mr. John Battle, MP, Minister of State who has responsibility for nuclear safety policy. Mr. Battle contended that Magnox reactors could continue to operate safely because of their low power density and operating conditions. He affirmed that the UK regulator would not allow these stations to operate if he was not satisfied with these general design features.
Since the receipt of the Minister's comments there have been discussions between the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the UK regulator about the UK regulator's thinking and approach. These contacts will continue but I have recently written to the Minister Mr. Battle seeking once again the early closure and decommissioning of Magnox reactors.
