Vol. 489 No. 5
36 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received a report from the British authorities following the recent derailment of a locomotive carrying empty flasks to the Heysham nuclear plant in Lancashire, England; if she has expressed her concerns to the British authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8369/98]
I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. The UK authorities have advised my Department that the incident involved the derailment of the front wheels of the locomotive which was transporting two empty nuclear fuel flasks to the Heysham nuclear power plant in Lancashire. The train was, I understand travelling at five miles per hour when it left the track. The UK Authorities' investigations are continuing and it is not yet clear whether the incident occurred because of a fault in the tracks or the train.
I have been assured by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland that the incident is of no radiological significance to Ireland. Nevertheless, I am concerned about this incident which highlights the dangers associated with the transport of nuclear fuel.
The question of the safe transport of radioactive materials has been raised with the UK authorities on a number of occasions. For many years now, radioactive materials have been transported in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency's regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials. These regulations provide strict standards of protection to facilitate the safe transport of radioactive materials.
I understand the UK is reviewing its current regulatory requirements and procedures in regard to the transport of radioactive materials and that the 1996 IAEA regulations in this field are being used by the UK as a basis for further updating of its procedures for land, air and sea transport of radioactive materials.
