Nuclear Waste

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Questions (563, 578, 585)

Micheál Martin

Question:

563. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials received information or have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mrs. Karen Bradley, on the possibility of the UK Government considering the Newry and Mourne area for the construction of a nuclear waste disposal site (details supplied); his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6581/19]

Micheál Martin

Question:

578. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials received information or have had discussions with his counterpart in the UK on the possibility of considering the Newry and Mourne area for the construction of a nuclear waste disposal site (details supplied); his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6582/19]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

585. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to proposals to consider the establishment of a geological disposal facility and-or nuclear waste disposal facility in the Newry, Mourne and Down area; if he has been notified and consulted by the UK authorities on this matter of concern to Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 578 and 585 together.

Senior officials in my Department and the Environmental Protection Agency meet twice a year to discuss matters of mutual interest with United Kingdom (UK) colleagues through the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. Officials from the Northern Ireland administration are also invited to attend. The matter of radioactive waste, and in particular the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) project, is a standing item on the agenda for the Group. Ireland engages on this matter through this Group, and will continue to monitor developments in relation to UK plans for geological disposal of radioactive waste. This issue was discussed at the Group in November 2018 and officials from the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed that following a recent public consultation on engagement with potential host communities for a Geological Disposal Facility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the working policy on potential sites will relate to England only. There are no plans or policy to site a Geological Disposal Facility in Northern Ireland.

A decision regarding locating a Geological Disposal Facility in Northern Ireland would have to be taken by the Northern Ireland Executive.

My officials will continue to engage with their UK counterparts at national and regional levels to ensure that our concerns in this matter continue to be represented.