Vol. 536 No. 1
17 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on whether there is a contradiction between the payments by Ireland to Euratom and Ireland's anti-nuclear policy, and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13158/01]
We do not make payments directly to Euratom. Ireland is party to the EU treaties, and we are obliged to meet our commitments under these treaties. These include payment of our contribution to the EU budget. Euratom activities form part of this budget and the expenses of Euratom are financed directly out of the general EU budget.
The Euratom Treaty remains the main framework for dealing with nuclear matters within the European Union. Because of our particular stance on nuclear issues, and given that we are part of the main committees under the Euratom structure, our objectives and priorities have been to influence the direction of these committees. Ireland's priority has been to steer the Euratom programme of activities towards a high emphasis on nuclear safety and radiological protection, rather than towards the expansion of the nuclear energy sector.
We will continue to argue our case and seek to influence others at every available opportunity under the Euratom structure. In short, the Euratom structure can be used by Ireland to emphasise the nuclear safety imperative and to seek to influence a shift away from efforts towards support or expansion of the nuclear energy sector.
