In July this year, it was reported that 2.5 tonnes of radioactive material, the remnants of a particle accelerator, continue to be stored on the grounds of University College, Cork. This machine was given to the college by the government of the United States of America in the mid-1970s as a gift of the sort that keeps on giving. Particle accelerators were also given to other countries such as India and Pakistan which subsequently went on to develop full nuclear programmes. After a few years, the machine stopped being used and by the early 1980s it was dismantled. It has remained on the grounds of the university. As 2.5 tonnes of radioactive material, it poses significant health and safety risks for those who work and study at the college. In addition, Irish Steel and Irish ISPAT were responsible for receiving a large quantity of radioactive metals which were largely sourced through Haulbowline and much of which remain on the island long after the closures of both companies. In recent weeks a fire at the Sunbeam factory came close to destroying a facility which deals with small quantities of less dangerous radioactive materials.
These instances demonstrate the lack of a Government policy in relation to radioactive materials. The only statement we have from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government indicates his opinion that while the problem will be sorted out, it does not need to be sorted out now. This Minister is quite emphatic in his comments most of the time and I can only contrast his statement on radioactive waste with statements he has made about toxic waste. He is quite insistent that we need a toxic waste incinerator, one of which is proposed for my own constituency. We do not produce enough toxic waste to make such an incinerator economically viable which means we will have to produce more toxic waste or import it to justify its construction. On the other hand, we have a very real problem with radioactive waste to which the Government and, in particular, the Minister are giving no consideration.
The problem does not relate only to the three locations of which I have made mention. Radioactive waste in its largest component is the residue of the radiological departments of our hospitals. Much of it must be stored in lead canisters deep underground. The Government should commit to a central facility deep underground with the necessary lining to prevent the type of incident which almost happened at Sunbeam last week. Radioactive materials can become part of a conflagration, expose people to the kinds of health and safety risks we have seen at University College, Cork, for the last 20 years or be left behind by a company which ceases operations with the price being paid by those who live in the area.
While I am grateful that a member of the Cabinet is taking the Adjournment, I would like to hear from the Minister a statement of personal concern in spite of her reluctance to speak on behalf of her colleague or initiate any Government policy in this area. I would like Deputy Coughlan to bring this issue to the Cabinet and to indicate that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government can be shaken out of his complacency.
