asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the Government's view of the environmental impact of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, and of his proposals to prevent its adverse impact in Ireland.
16.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sellafield Nuclear Reprocessing Plant.
13.
asked the Minister for Energy if any formal approach has been made to the EC Commission to arrange for a European inspectorate of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant; and, if so, the response which has been received.
20.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on his progress to date with the British Government on the future position of the Sellafield plant; if an EC inspectorate to monitor and report on its continued operation will be set up; and, if not, if he will demand its closure.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 16 and 20 together.
I am advised on matters of radioactive contamination by the Nuclear Energy Board. The board recently presented to me their report on radioactivity monitoring of the Irish marine environment during 1982-1984.
The report shows that radioactive contamination decreases rapidly with increasing distance from Sellafield. The report also shows that the levels of contamination of the Irish Sea have decreased in recent years probably reflecting the reductions in the annual discharges from Sellafield since they were at their highest in the seventies. The report assesses the possible radiation exposure of Irish consumers of fish and shellfish and concludes that in the case of the average consumer of seafood, the dose would be about 1 per cent of both the annual dose limit for the public recommended by the International Commission for Radiological Protection and of the dose from naturally occurring radiation.
The board have advised that there should be no concern about eating fish and shellfish from the Irish Sea. Copies of the report have been placed in the Dáil Library.
The board, with the assistance of the Meteorological Service and the Department of Communications, also monitor radioactivity levels in air, rainfall and drinking water samples. I am advised by the board that the levels of artificially produced radioactivity in the atmosphere are low and do not constitute a health hazard to the Irish public. The monitoring programme by the NEB enables the levels of radioactivity contamination to be kept under review. Although the primary objective of determining the impact on members of the public is being achieved, I am considering the possibility of more extensive monitoring.
I must emphasise that the Government are totally opposed to any discharge of radioactive waste into the Irish Sea and want to see these discharges minimised and eliminated as soon as possible, using the best technological means. Any radioactive discharge, even if the level of radioactivity is small, is undesirable and should cease. While the discharges themselves have negligible radiological significance for the Irish people, the frequency of recent incidents has caused a loss of confidence in the Sellafield operation. The view of the Irish Government is that this is an international issue which must be resolved by the European Commission under the provisions of the Euratom Treaty. The Government consider that a European inspection force is necessary to determine independently whether Sellafield can operate safely or whether operations should be suspended or cease until it can be rendered safe.
The Minister for Energy, the Minister for the Environment and I have had separate formal discussions with Commissioner Clinton-Davis about this matter. Following these discussions the Government formally requested the Commission to establish a European inspection force and I am awaiting a response.
The concern of the Government and the Irish public at the operation of Sellafield, particularly in relation to the recent incidents at the plant, has been conveyed to the UK authorities on a number of occasions, most recently by the Taoiseach to the British Prime Minister, and at ongoing meetings of the Ireland-UK Contact Group. The Government will continue to take every opportunity to press for an end to discharges from Sellafield both in contact with the British authorities and at all international fora, including the Paris Commission for the prevention of Marine Pollution from Land Based Sources.
Would the Minister of State agree finally that the legitimacy of our position in calling for the closure of Sellafield is now more evident than ever? Following the horrific disaster in the Soviet Union, will the Minister state now if this Government are going to await a recurrence of such a horrific disaster on our doorstep before the clarion call is sent out to the British Government that we want Sellafield closed, that it is a danger and a risk to the health of our people and our environment and that all Ireland, North and South want this closure? The Minister might avail of the opportunity to give some news on the Russian disaster.
I shall be answering Private Notice Questions on the Russian disaster immediately after Question Time.
On a point of order——
I will also reply to the Deputy's question.
——I want a reply. I have a legitimate question here and I want it answered.
It was Fianna Fáil who wanted to build a nuclear power station at Carnsore Point.
We want to get the record straight.
The Fianna Fáil Party wanted to build the nuclear power station at Carnsore Point.
It was the PDs, if the Minister wants to keep the record straight.
Could we have order, please?
If the Minister wants to check back on it, there could be a bonfire of the file of 1982.
It is a fact that Fianna Fáil started the process for the establishment of a nuclear power station at Carnsore Point. I stated quite clearly in my reply that the Government consider that a European inspection force is necessary to determine independently whether Sellafield can operate safely or whether operations should be suspended or cease until the station can be rendered safe. We cannot wish the nuclear industry to disappear from Europe; it is there. It forms a major part of the power supply in many EC countries. We do not have jurisdiction over the Sellafield plant, but we have made our views known quite clearly both to the British Government and to the EC Commissioners.
My Government are committed to seeing all discharges from Sellafield cease. That is our objective. If we fail in our call for a European inspection force, we will take whatever action is necessary to protect our environment which we hold so dear. We are going through the proper channels.
Are the Government just going to talk it out?
We believe that the European Commission have a direct and legal responsibility and the power to establish the European inspection force for which my Department have called.
Question Time is now concluded.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
I would ask the Deputies to bear in mind that an important debate is supposed to start at 4 p.m.
Is the Minister of State aware that it was the very old atomic reactors in Russia which caused the recent accident? Is he also aware that very old reactors exist in Sellafield, just across the water from us? This should heighten his anxiety and that of the Irish nation to have our health and environment protected. Would he confirm that that is what has happened in Russia? Of course, the international nuclear industry are saying that there is no risk to anybody, as usual. The Minister talked it out himself. He should not be throwing his hands up. We ask for the closure of Sellafield now.
That concludes Question Time.
I want an answer.
A Cheann Comhairle——
May I raise this matter on the Adjournment since the Minister has not had an opportunity to reply?
I have not had that opportunity.
I am sorry, it is not my fault. The Minister could have answered.
This is not a question——
The House is bound by an order.
I want to ask for permission to raise a matter on the Adjournment, in case I am too late. It is the need to allocate more funds to the Teamwork scheme, with particular reference to Suss Centre in Ballymun.
I will communicate with the Deputy.