Vol. 377 No. 9
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to reports that the UK Government intend to dump a disused nuclear submarine off the south-west coast of Ireland; whether he has investigated such reports; and whether he will take every step to ensure that such a proposal is firmly opposed and rejected.
28.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports that the British Government are considering disposing of obsolete nuclear submarines by sinking them in the Atlantic Ocean, 200 to 300 miles off the coast of this country; if, in view of the consequences of such a development for marine life and the fishing industry, he will indicate the measures, if any, he intends to take to prevent the British authorities from proceeding with this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure that Britain does not go ahead with its proposals to dump the obsolete nuclear submarine HMS Dreadnought off the south west coast of Ireland.
52.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of his reaction to the proposal of the British Ministry of Defence to dump reactors from up to ten nuclear submarines in waters south-west of Ireland; and if his attention has been drawn to any existing abandoned submarines on the seabed of Irish coastal waters.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 28, 38 and 52 together. We have confirmed, through diplomatic channels, that the British Ministry of Defence are considering ocean dumping as one of the options for disposing of the decommissioned nuclear submarine Dreadnought. However, in response to our inquiries the British authorities have informed us that no decision as to how the vessel is to be disposed of has yet been taken by them.
We have made a démarche to the British authorities indicating that we are totally opposed to the idea of disposing of the Dreadnought or its reactor at sea and have sought an assurance from them that this option will be ruled out. They have informed us in reply, that they are unable to give us such an assurance but that they would pay full attention to international law and environmental considerations.
Will the Minister give the House an assurance, in view of the response of the British Government in relation to the environment and international law, that our Government have decided on a certain line of action and that, if necessary, we will take legal action in the European courts to prevent what I might describe as this act of international piracy of our environment?
There are a number of options open to us. We have taken the initial step of lodging a protest to the British authorities. Under the EURATOM Treaty we can take action as well — there are specific provisions contained in Articles 34 and 38 of that treaty which give a role to the European Commission in the matter. We are considering having recourse to these articles. That is another avenue that is being pursued. We would deplore any development of this kind — that is, the dumping of massive amounts of toxic substances in the ocean — anywhere in the world but particularly anywhere adjacent to our waters. We are not the only country involved. Every coastal country, particularly those of western Europe, is involved and we are seeking ways and means of mobilising their support.
This proposal by the British Government has been publicly known for more than two months but the Minister has not told us of any specific decisions made by our Government. We should show determination in our opposition to this proposal. Could the Minister tell us exactly what we intend doing? Decisions should be made by now. Surely we are not going to embark on a campaign of huff and puff as has been done by other Ministers with very little action being taken in the international fora?
We have taken the diplomatic step of making a specific protest to the British about this matter. That is called a démarche.
And they have told us they will make their own decision.
We have made a start and if necessary we will seek the aid of EURATOM, the international agency concerned with the dumping of toxic waste, seek the support of the Commission and try to mobilise European public opinion because all the Western European coastal states have the same interest as we have in this matter. We will be actively following up this matter. I would welcome further questions because I would be glad to give Deputies information of progress made. Like Deputy Allen, I feel very strongly about the importance of this matter.
The Minister says he will seek aid through EURATOM and the Commission. At what point does he consider this may become necessary having made our protests on the matter? Would he agree that it would be too late when the decision to dump had already been made by the British authorities?
There are obligations under international law which the British cannot flout. The British authorities are signatories to EURATOM treaties and there is legal action the Commission can take under EURATOM agreements. All these matters are being investigated at present. The precise legal liabilities to which the British Government may leave themselves open internationally are being investigated. That is the most fruitful line we can follow, apart from making protests which we have done. The important thing is to use whatever legal mechanisms are there under international law to prevent this dumping from taking place.
Can the Minister give the House an assurance that there will be time to take this legal route, to go via EURATOM before the dumping takes place?
Yes, if we act expeditiously because the British have made no decision on the matter. There is no question about that. They have a problem on their hands with this radioactive reactor submarine. Our problem is to prevent them dumping it at sea where it could do enormous damage to marine life, particularly if they dump it in the North Atlantic, the ocean with which we are most concerned.
Having regard to the fact that the House is united behind the Minister and the Government on this matter, would the Minister give an undertaking to raise this matter with the Commission under the relevant EURATOM article and, specifically would he or the relevant Minister take the opportunity to raise this matter with the commissioner responsible for environmental affairs?
The Deputy has that assurance. We will follow this matter along those lines which I consider would be most effective.
