Vol. 397 No. 6
7 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Energy whether he is concerned at the standards of safety precautions in place in the nuclear industries of eastern Europe; and whether he has taken any initiatives at EC level to deal with this problem.
There is a widespread concern about nuclear safety in eastern Europe which I share. Since the Chernobyl accident, there have been a number of incidents which, although they did not receive much publicity, raised serious questions about the safety of nuclear reactors in eastern Europe, both in their design and operation. My concern is shared by other EC member states, and the matter is being discussed within the Community under Ireland's Presidency.
Ireland's position is that the EC should avail of every opportunity to influence eastern European countries in regard to nuclear safety. In this context, I will continue to press for the establishment of a Community inspection force, to ensure compliance with the safety standards laid down in the Euratom Treaty. The EC should try to lead eastern Europe by example, by ensuring that nuclear installations in the Community have the highest possible safety standards.
Would the Minister not agree that referring to the Community inspection force, whose sole remit will be within the EC, does not meet the question? In view of the fact that eastern Europe is planning a rapid expansion of nuclear capacity by the end of the century, would the Minister not agree that he has a unique opportunity on behalf of the Community to put some concrete proposals in place? Would he consider going further than he has gone up to now?
We are a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the eastern European countries also participate in that agency. On the basis of an Irish initiative, the agency has missions which review the effectiveness of national regulatory bodies. There are also operational safety review teams, OSRT and the eastern European countries have availed of the services of the review teams and have had them visit and inspect their plants. They have been involved in some of the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency so our work in this area is not confined to whatever influence we may have within the European Community as we are also able to influence matters by our membership of the International Atomic Energy Agency. That is a more effective body because the eastern European countries participate in this body. While I referred to the Community inspection force I was only making the point that we would be giving better example to our eastern European neighbours if we put our own nuclear energy safety matters in better order within the Community, something which Ireland has been pressing for.
Is the Minister not aware that the EC is now acting as the main conduit of international funds to assist eastern Europe and is it not the case that the Minister has a unique opportunity to go beyond merely giving example, which is not that great given the situation in Sellafield? Should the Minister be going further and trying to get something done about these problems within that programme?
The Deputy should be fully aware that Ireland is leading the drive within the Community for higher standards of nuclear safety. We have had support from some countries but there are other countries which are very committed to nuclear energy. It is not reasonable to expect that we will achieve the objectives we have set ourselves within a short period of time because of the high level of opposition to some of the proposals we are sponsoring from other member countries. We have to face that reality. For instance, in France the electricity system is largely based on atomic energy. I think the Deputy recognises the difficulties we have but this does not deter Ireland from continuing its campaign for a European wide inspectorate and for higher rules and regulations in regard to nuclear safety and inspectorate.
