I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 22, 42, 64 and 65 together. The planned Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield will when completed have the capacity to reprocess 7,000 tonnes of spent fuel in its first ten years.
I am very concerned at UK plans to import spent fuel from other countries for reprocessing at THORP. Last year, when I first learnt of the proposal to reprocess German waste at THORP, I made protests to the UK and German authorities. In particular it was pointed out to the German authorities that they had abandoned the completion of a reprocessing plant in Germany because of environmental concerns, and that it is not acceptable to us for them to transfer the problems associated with reprocessing close to Ireland.
The increased transport of spent and reprocessed fuel and waste through the Irish Sea, with the attendant increased risk of accidents is of particular concern. I raised this matter again with the UK as recently as last Friday, when I met the UK Secretary of State for Energy, Mr. John Wakeham. It was also raised at the Council meeting of EC Energy Ministers which I chaired on Monday last. Ireland's concerns over Sellafield were reiterated with particular reference to the processing of waste from other countries.
The Nuclear Energy Board, who monitor radioactivity levels in the Irish Sea, have stated that the operation of THORP will increase radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea but that there will be no significant health risk to either marine or human life from this increase. The board will continue their monitoring to ensure that radiation risks to the Irish public are minimized. The board's monitoring programme also provides an independent check on information on discharges into the Irish Sea provided by the UK authorities.