At this point I cannot predict the outcome of the meeting of the OSPAR Commission to be held in Copenhagen shortly but it presents us with a good opportunity to advance an intense campaign to bring about the eventual end of nuclear reprocessing. Ireland is not alone in seeking this objective and there is undoubtedly a strong level of solidarity among the Nordic countries and ourselves about the need to place additional pressure on both the UK and France to move away from this outmoded and hazardous activity.
Both Ireland and Denmark have tabled draft decisions for discussion at the meeting. In parallel with consideration of these draft decisions, the meeting will also discuss how participating countries will implement the OSPAR strategy on radioactive substances which has as its objective the virtual elimination by 2020 of radioactive discharges into the sea. Ireland's draft decision for discussion at the meeting highlights the increased public concern following the publication of the UK nuclear installations inspectorate's report last February. It also identifies reprocessing plants as a significant source of pollution to the marine environment.
I have previously stated that as a result of my contacts with Ministers in Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland and my discussions with the Danish Minister in Dublin there has been some interaction concerning a potential consensus decision which could be binding on all countries, including the UK and France. If we do not achieve unanimity at the OSPAR Commission meeting, a qualified majority decision would be binding only on the countries which vote in favour of it. It is worthwhile making considerable effort at the meeting to see what can be done to secure a unanimous decision which is binding on both the UK and France. This in no way dilutes our national policy which is trenchantly opposed to Sellafield reprocessing operations and which seeks to minimise and eliminate the risk to Ireland of all nuclear activities at the site.
I take heart from a recent report of the House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee on BNFL. I do not have time to elaborate on that, although I would like to do so. I hope the recommendations of the House of Commons committee, together with the international pressure being placed on the British Government at OSPAR, will give the necessary impetus to a radical rethink of the UK's nuclear reprocessing policy. I wish to see some breakthrough in our campaign against Sellafield at the OSPAR meeting but there can be no guarantee there will be the necessary shift in policy by the UK and France. There can be no doubt, however, about the strong feelings of many neighbouring countries about reprocessing activities. The Irish delegation will work closely with other delegations to achieve a positive outcome.