andMr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy if he has requested a full copy of the report on the Three Mile Island nuclear plant mishap inquiry from the United States Government and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on US Nuclear Plant Mishap.
4.
I have received from the United States Government a copy of the report of the President's Commission on the accident referred to by the Deputies. I am having the report studied and I propose to arrange to have a copy placed in the Oireachtas Library for the information of Members as well as copies of other relevant reports published by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Can the Minister say whether the report is also being studied by the Nuclear Energy Board and whether he has asked them for their comments on this report?
The answer to both questions is, yes; but I think I should draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that there are other reports. I have indicated that I am making copies of other reports available in the Library. There is a further report, volume 2 of which has not yet been published and is awaiting further information regarding what happened at the site. The Nuclear Energy Board are keeping in very close touch with all of these reports.
Are these reports very bulky? Do they run into several volumes?
Some of them do. The present one is quite bulky.
Would the Minister not think it a good idea if we were to get ahead a bit quicker in setting up the proposed inquiry and manning it if only to give the people who will be conducting it a chance to do their homework which the existence of these reports will imply for them?
As I indicated previously, before the tribunal is set up it is envisaged that the report of the inter-departmental committee will be published, which report I hope will be factual and will be assessing various aspects of the nuclear question. The intention is that this will be available as part of an informatory or educational process prior to the conduct of the tribunal of inquiry. I do not think that what the Deputy suggests would really expedite the matter to any noticeable degree.
I do not want to wander too far. I am sorry if I am asking something in regard to ground which the Minister may have covered yesterday.
I did not cover it here yesterday.
I was unavoidably absent from Questions yesterday and I did not hear the Minister's reply.
In fact, I was referring to the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis. I am getting the Deputy off the hook.
Are we to take it from the Minister's reference to the inter-departmental committee that its report will contain recommendations or conclusions? Will the report of that committee, whenever it emerges, contain conclusions——
We are getting a bit away from the original question.
——from which a Government line can be implied?
That is not my understanding of the position but rather a factual outline of relevant factors and in some cases there will be pros and cons.