asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the communications, if any, he has had with or representations he has made to the British Government regarding their recently announced long-term programme for the construction of 20 nuclear reactors; the additional steps he is taking to safeguard Irish interests in the context of this development; and if he will make a statement on the likely effect on this country of increased nuclear station activity in Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Nuclear Stations.
6.
I am advised by the Nuclear Energy Board that there is at this time no evidence that the currently envisaged expansion of the UK nuclear power programme in the longer term will lead to a significant risk to public health in this country.
I might say that, while the Irish Government cannot be directly involved in the decisions concerning the implementation of nuclear programmes in another country, all proposals for nuclear installations in the UK are governed by a stringent licensing system which conforms to recognised radiation protection standards, and close co-operation and liaison is maintained by the Nuclear Energy Board with the relevant UK regulatory agencies, particularly on safety-related matters.
Furthermore, the Euratom Treaty provides for the examination of nuclear installation proposals in any member state by a committee of experts drawn from member states to ensure that such proposals do not present radiation hazards to members of the public in other member states.
Does the Minister consider that there are easily envisaged circumstances under which the proposal for the construction of 20 nuclear reactors in Britain could affect this country in a variety of ways and does he feel it incumbent upon him to make detailed inquiries about such proposals and to make the necessary representations in order to safeguard our interests?
There has been no official announcement by the UK authorities of their proposal to build a further 20 nuclear reactors. The Deputy's question appears to be based on newspaper speculation. Our inquiries have confirmed that there has not been an official announcement. When we know the official plans of the UK authorities we will discuss the matter with them.
Is the Minister aware that the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, has indicated that it is her intention to expand the nuclear power plant capacity of the UK and that all the projections indicate that these plants will be located on the Irish Sea Coast? There is considerable concern that the effluent from these plants will flow into the Irish Sea.
I am aware that Mrs. Thatcher has expressed in general terms her view that there should be an increase in the British nuclear programme, as have the heads of other Community Governments in respect of their programmes. I am not aware that there is any intention of placing all or most of these new stations on the western coast of Britain.
I am calling the next question. Only seven questions have been answered in half an hour.
That could be attributed to the Minister's evasiveness.
I am usually accused of giving too much information.
This is the Minister's first appearance during Question Time this session.
When the formal statement is made, will the Minister make the kinds of representations which all Members of this House would like to see him make in the interests of the people?
I will make inquiries in order to get the full details of what they propose when they have made up their minds.
7.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if his attention has been drawn to a long standing leak from a fuel storage silo in the Windscale nuclear plant, which, despite being discovered in October 1976, is still leaking and appears to be unrepairable and if he will make representations to the British authorities in this regard.
The Nuclear Energy Board have been keeping in touch with the situation concerning this leak since it was first reported. It has been traced to a defect in an old concrete silo used to store radioactive waste which largely consists of cladding removed from irradiated fuel elements and stored under water.
The leak is relatively small and radiation surveys continue to show that the radioactivity released from the silo is retained in the soil close to the silo. There has been no exposure of any worker on the site above the permitted limits and since there is no contamination outside the site there is, therefore, no hazard to the public.
A joint study by the UK Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the operators of the Windscale plant, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., on the most appropriate remedial measures to be adopted has been completed and is expected to be published shortly.
Am I to take it that the Minister would be concerned about a leak in a plant which is taking a number of years to repair and which ultimately discharges into the Irish Sea?
The leak is apparently of minute proportions. It is not leaking into the atmosphere but down into the soil at some depth. I understand that men have been working within a short distance of the silo in question since the leak was discovered. Since they have not been affected, I am sure that no one here will be affected.