Vol. 535 No. 1
147 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a proposal to increase the borrowing facility to the nuclear industry, including nuclear reprocessing as operated by the European Union under the EURATOM Treaty; his views in relation to this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/01]
I am aware of reports that the Commission is preparing proposals for increasing EURATOM's lending facility. However, I understand that to date no proposals have been brought forward by the Commission. Any proposals to increase the current lending facility would require the approval of the Council, and this has not yet been sought. If and when this happens, Ireland would examine closely any such proposals. This will be done with regard to Ireland's nuclear policy, with regard to Ireland's responsibilities under the EU treaties, including those relating to EURATOM, and with regard to Ireland's interest in assisting the states of central and eastern Europe in improving safety standards in nuclear power facilities.
The Government's policy is to ensure that EUROTOM's activities in regard to the nuclear industry are directed towards nuclear safety and radiological protection, rather than towards the expansion of the nuclear energy sector.
