Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2018
221. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received correspondence or had discussions with his UK counterpart with regard to the UK's decision to exit Euratom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/18]
View answerThe ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the Euratom Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the United Kingdom. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss Brexit related issues, including Euratom.
I have exchanged written correspondence with Minister Richard Harrington, Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Energy, on the importance of maintaining our bilateral contacts on radiological issues post-Brexit and have received reassurance that the United Kingdom is taking all necessary steps to ensure that it will continue to operate as a responsible nuclear State, and will maintain the appropriate safeguards under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Officials from my Department will continue to engage on this, and other related matters, with their United Kingdom counterparts through the United Kingdom-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. The Group met most recently on 18 April last, and that meeting included a briefing from the United Kingdom on measures being developed to ensure that the United Kingdom meets its obligations under international conventions on nuclear safety post-Brexit.
