Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Nuclear Waste.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

71 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to reduce the number of vessels passing through the Irish Sea carrying nuclear waste in view of the potential dangers of such vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12930/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

The position in relation to this matter is as was outlined to the House on several occasions by my predecessor, Deputy Woods, and more recently by me on 10 February last. Briefly, my colleagues and I in Government would prefer if these shipments did not take place. The sensitivities of the Government and public to the use of the Irish Sea generally for the transport of the materials mentioned by the Deputy to and from Sellafield have been made known on many occasions to the UK authorities.

I am conscious of the fact that they are, however, for the present, a reality. My main concerns regarding any transport of this nature are to ensure the vessels do not pass through waters under our jurisdiction. I have assurances from the UK authorities that they will not. The UK auth orities have also stressed that voyages by such vessels through waters solely under UK jurisdiction are kept to a minimum and are already limited to one or two per year; and to ensure the highest possible levels of safety are applied both in terms of the vessels employed and the operational requirements applied to them.

As Minister, I have to accept that the vessels transporting these materials may be involved in an accident arising from hazards of navigation or from occurrences such as workplace accidents which will require assistance from Ireland's emergency services. In this connection, the Irish Coastguard, in co-operation with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, in recent months engaged in a communications exercise on board one of these vessels. The aim of the exercise was to ensure the limited shipments that do take place are as safe as possible and there are no adverse effects on the environment. Arrangements have also been made with both the United Kingdom and France that Ireland will be notified in advance of shipment dates, the nature of cargoes and all other relevant details.