I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 157 together.
On 10 December 2004, I was pleased to sign on behalf of Ireland, an agreement on the early notification of an accident or incident of radiological significance and exchange of information concerning the operation and management of nuclear facilities or activities with the UK. This agreement is modelled on an International Atomic Energy Agency Convention which was adopted in 1986. The convention established a notification system for nuclear accidents which have the potential for international transboundary release that could be of radiological safety significance for another State. The agreement is designed to ensure the swift exchange of information between the UK and Ireland in the event of a major nuclear accident or other radiological emergency occurring in either country. I am satisfied that it represents a very positive development in managing the two countries respective positions on the nuclear energy issue.
At the signing of the agreement on 10 December I, together with the British Ambassador, announced the outcome to date of the discussions between Ireland and the United Kingdom stemming from the legal action brought by Ireland against the UK under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The UNCLOS arbitration tribunal's provisional measures award in June 2003 recommended that Ireland and the United Kingdom review the existing system of intergovernmental notification and co-operation to develop suitable secure arrangements at inter-governmental level to improve that system. Following the award, confidential and complex discussions ensued to improve co-operation and consultation between the two Governments. The discussions were constructive, wide ranging and fruitful and the outcomes represent a positive and welcome development between the two Governments in relation to the nuclear issue on which Ireland and the UK continue to hold significantly different views.
The agreed package of measures announced is designed to address a wide range of issues related to nuclear safety and included a visit to Sellafield in September 2004 by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. The visit focused on developments in relation to the storage of high level liquid radioactive waste on the site and the authorisation of radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea. The intention is for the UK to facilitate further visits by the institute. The Garda Síochána visited Sellafield in June 2004 to review aspects of the physical protection and policing arrangements in place at the site following an invitation from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary. Following this visit both parties have agreed to discuss mechanisms for exchanging security sensitive information without compromising the security needs and concerns of the UK in relation to such information. Further visits will be facilitated by the UK.
I believe the access afforded to Sellafield to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Garda Síochána is an extremely positive development which we can all welcome and endorse. It is a substantial advance on the situation that applied prior to the discussions between Ireland and the UK under UNCLOS. While nuclear safety and security are a matter for national authorities, in this case the UK, the access afforded to the institute and the Garda Síochána represents an increasing recognition by the UK of the real concerns of the Irish people in relation to the continued operation of the Sellafield plant. I understand the RPII and the Garda Síochána have judged the visits to be welcome, constructive and useful confidence building measures and I look forward to the continued development of these and the other important information exchange and co-operation arrangements arising from the discussions under UNCLOS by the UK and Ireland.