Private Notice Questions have been allowed to Deputies Shatter and Gay Mitchell to the Minister for Energy. I understand that both questions are being taken together.
Private Notice Questions. - USSR Nuclear Leak.
asked the Minister for Energy whether the leak from a nuclear reactor in the Soviet Union poses any danger to the population of this country and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on the nuclear leak in the USSR and the nuclear clouds floating across Europe: and if he will give an assurance that there is no threat to the Irish environment from this source.
I propose to take both questions together.
I have been advised by the Nuclear Energy Board that the early reports of the Soviet Nuclear Power Station near Kiev indicated that the effects of the accident are not likely to be detected in Ireland. The board, in conjunction with the meteorological service, have an air monitoring programme which would indicate any airborne contamination. The programme will continue to monitor the situation and the board will keep developments under review.
What arrangements, if any, have been made to provide protection for the population of this country in the event of a similar or more serious leakage from a nuclear power plant in either Britain or continental Europe?
I would have to be advised on that matter by the Nuclear Energy Board. In the event of a major nuclear incident affecting this country there would, of course, be the fullest collaboration between the Nuclear Energy Board, civil defence and other organisations in taking measures to protect the population.
In view of the fact that this threat is not just to Ireland but to the whole European Community, would the Minister arrange to raise at Community level with the USSR the concern which has been expressed in the House today?
Of course this matter will be taken up at Community level. I understand that the European Commission have already sought information under Articles 35 and 36 of Euratom 3. This disaster, which is very regrettable, reinforces my Government's call for a European inspection force which would monitor on an independent basis the whole of the nuclear industry in the European Community. That is a proper position for this Government to take. The cloud mentioned seems to be going over the Baltic Sea area and there are no detectable traces of contamination over Ireland at this time.
Will the Minister ensure that the Irish Government will press, through every international channel available to them, for the fullest disclosure of all the details and implications of this nuclear disaster which has taken place in Russia? Furthermore, would he not agree with me that this accident totally confirms the view of all of us who are demanding the closure of Sellafield? Would he not agree that the only legitimate position for the Irish Government to take up now — a position that should have been adopted before now but certainly after this recent accident — so as to ensure that they discharge their responsibility for the safety and welfare of the Irish people is to stop pussyfooting about monitoring and inspection, and demand the immediate closure of Sellafield?
Regarding the first part of the Deputy's question, we will of course seek as much information as possible about what is apparently a most serious accident. The Nuclear Energy Board and the Government will take every step necessary in seeking such information. Regarding the closure of Sellafield, I have replied comprehensively to the Government position on that matter.
This question has been raised at the highest level possible both by the Taoiseach and by the British Prime Minister, but the present accident reinforces the policy of this Government in seeking the establishment of a European inspection force for the whole of the nuclear industry throughout Europe. It is only by having such a force that we will have an independent assessment of the safety of all nuclear power plants throughout Europe. That is the logical process with regard to this industry.
The recent accident was in Russia.
We do not have jurisdiction over Sellafield or over any other of the nuclear plants outside our boundaries but we are satisfied that the European Commission have legal powers to establish a European inspection force who can monitor the whole of the nuclear industry within the EC.
But not in Russia?
Who will carry out that monitoring for us?
Would the Minister agree that the dangers that could be posed to this country by the present type of disaster could arise not only from a nuclear power plant in Great Britain but also from nuclear plants on mainland Europe? In that context will the Minister take immediate steps at international level to press for the establishment of an international early warning system requiring immediate notification of such an incident by the country in which it takes place to all those countries that could be affected by the resulting radioactivity? Would the Minister agree also that, in the event of such a tragic accident, there is an onus on the country in which the accident occurs to be forthcoming and to make as much information as possible available to all the neighbouring countries? Would the Minister agree, too, that in the present instance the Soviet Union has been remiss?
The Soviet Union appears to have been very tardy in informing its neighbours of the major accident. This country is at risk from any major accident at a power plant within the EC countries. The European Commission have the responsibility to ensure that adequate and the highest safety standards possible are in place. We have requested the establishment of a European inspection force so as to ensure that as a country without a nuclear industry we would not be affected because of inadequate safety standards in other countries. We will continue to press for the establishment of such a force.
Having regard to the fact that the Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Board, Mr. George Duffy, expressed grave concern recently about the safety of the reactors at Sellafield and given that there is a massive expansion taking place at Sellafield, a matter to which the Minister regrettably did not refer, surely he should make it known to the House now that as a nation we will make an immediate protest and not become entangled in the bureaucracy of a pro-nuclear industry which is vested in Europe? The Minister has the power now to make an individual protest to the British Government for the closure of Sellafield. There is no point in phoning for the fire brigade if one's hair is on fire.
On a number of occasions we have been in direct contact with the British Government up to the level of Heads of State. We continue to have contact with the British Government through our contact group. We have made our position clear. We have made it clear that all radioactive emissions from Sellafield should cease as soon as possible. That will remain our position. As I have said, we have called also for a European inspection force. Should such a force be established but fail to take adequate action, we will continue to press to ensure the complete safety of the Irish environment.
This must be the last question on this subject?
Regarding specifically the matter of the lack of notification by the Soviet Government of this accident, would the Minister raise either with the Soviet Ambassador in Ireland or by way of the Irish Ambassador in Moscow, the Government's concern at the total lack of notification on the part of the Soviet Union to its European neighbours? Will the Minister ensure specifically that that matter is raised?
The accident near Kiev is of serious concern for my Department. I will be in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this question when I will be asking him to take the matter up with his Russian counterpart with a view to ensuring that immediate notice will be given to us of any accident so that at least we will be in a position to be aware of the effects of any such accident.
But what then?
We would then take whatever action would be necessary to protect the Irish people.
Whistling in the wind.
Order. I am calling Deputy Haughey on the next question.
A final supplementary, please.
Deputy Shatter has another question for private notice. He cannot take up all of the day.
I should like to explain to the House that this question of mine seems to transport us away from the nuclear age. I should explain that the question was tabled before we were aware of the horrendous accident in Russia. I am explaining this lest anyone should be inclined to criticise my sense of timing.