Vol. 339 No. 11
andMr. De Rossa asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the amount of radioactive waste dumped at sea within 500 nautical miles of our coastline for each of the last five years for which figures are available; the countries of origin of such waste; if he is aware of the public concern at the health hazard posed by this dumping; and the steps his Department intend to take at the London Dumping Convention to stop the dumping of nuclear waste off our coasts.
168.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the Government's attitude towards the dumping of radioactive waste in the marine dumpsite off the south-west coast of Ireland; and whether it is proposed to vote against this practice at the forthcoming London Dumping Convention.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
The following table sets out the quantities of radioactive waste dumped over the last five years and the countries of origin.
|
Year |
Weight (Gross Tonnes) |
U.K. |
Switzerland Netherlands Belgium |
|
1978 |
8,040 |
2,080 |
5,960 |
|
1979 |
5,415 |
2,013 |
3,402 |
|
1980 |
8,391 |
2,693 |
5,698 |
|
1981 |
9,435 |
2,517 |
6,918 |
|
1982 |
11,693 |
2,697 |
8,996 |
The material being dumped is embedded in concrete, in steel drums. Approximately 90 per cent of the total weight represents concrete and steel. The remaining 10 per cent comprises contaminated material and less than 0.01 per cent of this comprises the contaminating radioisotopes. The material does not contain high level radioactive nuclear waste, the dumping of which is prohibited.
I am advised by the Nuclear Energy Board that the dumping as carried out up to the present does not constitute a hazard to health.
The Irish delegation to the forthcoming London Dumping Convention will endeavour to have the dumping discontinued and will support a proposal to that effect.
