Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hazardous Waste.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

35 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to reduce the number of vessels carrying nuclear waste passing though the Irish Sea in view of the potential dangers of these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16016/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The position remains as I advised the House on 13 May last which is as follows.

There is no information in my Department's records to indicate that any vessels which were carrying nuclear waste or nuclear materials passed through the Irish Sea during the previous 12 months.

Work is continuing apace on implementing the decision of the IMO Assembly in November 1997 that the INF code which governs the transport of irradiated nuclear fuels by sea should be made mandatory for the future.

The European Union has adopted a directive requiring all vessels carrying such materials bound for or leaving a community port to comply with strict notification procedures and controls.

I signed the regulations transposing the directive in question into Irish law on 21 April 1999 as required under the terms of the directive even though such vessels do not use Irish ports or transit Irish waters. The EU controls in question now apply to all vessels en route to Sellafield.