asked the Minister for Energy if he will give details of the present policy he is pursuing to minimise dangers to the health and safety of the Irish public posed by the operations of nuclear plants in Britain.
Written Answers. - Dangers from British Nuclear Plants.
33.
It is the Government's view that the threat to the health and safety of the Irish public posed by the operations of nuclear plants in Britain can only be removed by the phasing out of such installations. The Government has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the British Government about its plans for building new nuclear facilities with particular reference to locations close to this country. In the short-term, some of the more pressing concerns we have about the British nuclear industry could be eased by the immediate closure of its more dangerous and accident-prone installations, including Sellafield. On a number of previous occasions I have given details of the policy which is being pursued to attain this end.
I continue to put constant pressure on the UK authorities, both bilaterally and in international fora. On a European level, I am seeking the establishment of a Community (Health and Safety) Inspection Force which would be in a position to monitor nuclear installations objectively and independently. I have raised our problems at international meetings of the Paris Commission and the London Dumping Convention.
All possible courses of action, through bilateral, multilateral and Community contacts, are being taken to pursue these policies and I am satisfied that progress is being made.
Meanwhile, as the House is aware, an emergency plan for nuclear accidents is being put in place, and has recently been tested. The aim of the emergency plan is to minimise the risk to the public in the event of an accident at a nuclear installation or another radiological emergency.