Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 2

Written Answers. - Nuclear Plants.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

71 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has reported to her in relation to the closure of two magnox reactors at the Wylfa nuclear plant in Anglesea in north Wales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13406/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

My Department and the RPII had received a preliminary report from the UK Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, concerning an incident at the Wylfa nuclear power plant which resulted in the closure last month of the two magnox reactors at the plant.

The RPII has since been maintaining contact with the NII in relation to this matter. The position is that reactor number two was shut down in early April for its planned biennial maintenance outage. During a routine television inspection of the reactor core, some unusual marks were detected on the sides of some of the channels therein. The channels, I understand, are not used for fuel or control rods. Since reactor number one has similar features, it was decided to shut down this reactor also.

I understand from the RPII that inspections by Wylfa personnel on reactor number one are still in progress and that both reactors remain shut down. The RPII is continuing to monitor the situation.

Any incidents involving the old magnox reactors, such as the two reactors at Wylfa, are a matter of serious concern. This is the second occasion this year when both reactors at Wylfa have been shut down. We have consistently expressed concern to the UK authorities about the continued operation of the old magnox reactors beyond their original design life. We have urged them to close these reactors and we will continue to do so.