Vol. 505 No. 1
21 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to concerns that the proposal by BNFL to shed up to 500 jobs at its Sellafield plant may compromise safety and increase the risk of nuclear pollution of the Irish Sea; if she has raised this matter or plans to raise it with the British authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12422/99]
I am aware of BNFL's proposals to shed up to 500 jobs at the Sellafield complex, and I appreciate the Deputy's concerns about the possible safety implications.
I understand these job cuts are part of BNFL's ongoing plan to reduce its costs by 25 per cent by the year 2000-1. BNFL has stated publicly that staff reductions will not take place unless it is safe to do so and operational performance can be maintained or improved.
I will be meeting Mr. John Battle, MP, UK Minister of State for Energy and Industry later this week, to discuss a number of nuclear safety related matters. I intend to raise this issue with him and to seek his assurances that safety will not be compromised as a result of such job losses.
