Nuclear Waste

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Questions (775)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

775. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to EU Directive 2011/70/EURATOM (Nuclear Waste), if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this legislation will allow for the importation of nuclear waste into the Republic of Ireland by private operators, the role of government being diminished to that of independent licensing authority; his views on whether the RPII, whose responsibility it is to advise Government on the Directive, is impartial , in view of it's links to a person (details supplied), the Irish representative to the Scientific and Technical Committee of Euratom, the Committee responsible for the Directive, and an ex-CEO of the RPII, who is a self-professed member of the the pro-nuclear lobby group BENE; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that past expert advice from within the nuclear industry has shown that nuclear waste cannot be isolated in the geological environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34667/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Council Directive 2011/70/EURATOM of 19 July 2011, establishing a Community framework for the responsible and safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, requires Member States to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 23 August 2013.

My Department is currently developing the necessary Regulations to ensure that Ireland meets its obligations to transpose this Directive.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is required to ensure that Irish people and the environment are adequately protected from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. Insofar as the issue of the storage of radioactive substances is concerned, the Institute is explicitly required under section 7(d) of the Radiological Protection Act 1991 to advise the Government on radiological safety matters “including in relation to the transport, use, and storage of radioactive substances, wheresoever located”. I have every confidence that the Institute will continue to provide Government with appropriate expert advice in that regard.