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Nuclear Plants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (766, 781)

Derek Keating

Question:

766. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the communications his Department has had with the UK authorities regarding the proposed Nuclear Power Station Development at Hinkley Point, Somerset; if his Department was informed of the proposed development by the British authorities as required under the terms of the Espoo Convention, or if the British Authorities have not notified the Department of the development; and if so, the reasons for this decision. [16302/13]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

781. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the recent development proposals for a nuclear power facility at Hinkely Point as approved by the UK's Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on March 19th 2013, if he will confirm if the UK Government notified Ireland regarding these proposals; if so, when and how; and if he will provide copies of this correspondence and his replies, if any; if he will provide information on any decision by Irish authorities regarding notification of the Irish public about the development; and if so, the nature and reason for that decision. [16489/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 781 together.

While not having a nuclear power industry, it is Ireland’s position that, where a State chooses to develop a nuclear power industry, this should be done in accordance with the highest international standards with respect to safety and environmental protection. Ireland’s priority is the safety of the Irish people and the protection of our environment, including the shared marine environment of the Irish Sea.

The UK published its draft Energy National Policy Statement in November 2009, which signalled its intention to construct ten new nuclear power stations at sites judged as potentially suitable. This was subsequently revised in October 2010 when the number of planned stations was reduced to eight, following the dropping of two sites originally proposed for Cumbria, near the existing Sellafield facility.

Ireland has been actively involved in the consultation process on the new build programme. Since the original announcement in 2009, Ireland has written twice at Ministerial level to the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change outlining concerns about potential environmental impacts in Ireland and in the Irish Sea. The key issues of concern include the assessments by the UK of effects on the environment, management of radioactive waste, and the rationale underpinning the proposed justification decision for new nuclear facilities. This engagement at Ministerial level has been supported and informed by a continuing dialogue at official level where Irish officials engage, and raise concerns where appropriate, with UK counterparts directly engaged in the development and implementation of the plans.

Ireland was notified in early 2012 of the proposed development at Hinkley Point. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), in accordance with its statutory advisory role to the Government, has been requested to complete an assessment of the potential radiological impacts on Ireland from the programme of new nuclear power plants in the UK, including the plant at Hinkley Point. This assessment will consider both routine operations and a range of postulated accident scenarios at the plants. The Report is being finalised and will be submitted to me shortly. I expect to publish the Report and the RPII will then provide briefings for interested parties.

Under the EURATOM Treaty the UK was required to satisfy the European Commission that the development at Hinkley Point would not be liable to result in the radioactive contamination of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State. In that context, a Commission opinion, issued in February 2012, considered that under normal operating conditions, the discharges of liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents are not likely to cause an exposure of the population in another Member State that is significant from the point of view of health.

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