Bernard Allen
Ceist:11 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Energy when he last visited the Sellafield nuclear processing plant; and if he proposes to do so in the near future.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sellafield Plant Visits.
I have not visited Sellafield and I have no plans to do so.
What happened to the Government's much heralded announcement in recent times that they propose to take Britain before the European Court in relation to Sellafield?
That is a separate question; this question specifically asked when the Minister visited the plant.
Does the Minister consider it appropriate to visit Sellafield to see the installation and the dumping of nuclear waste from that country? Does he think it appropriate to visit Sellafield to discuss with British Nuclear Fuels and the British Department of Energy the problems which the installation poses for this country?
A visit to Sellafield by me — or indeed by any other Minister — would serve no useful purpose and might be misinterpreted as an endorsement of the plant. I have repeatedly conveyed to the British Government Ireland's opposition to Sellafield and I am kept fully informed by the Nuclear Energy Board of the facts in relation to it. The Nuclear Energy Board keep me informed of the facts in relation to Sellafield by way of visits which officials of the board make to Sellafield, the most recent of which was in October 1990. They make the visits in order to update their technical knowledge of the plant, which is adequate and sufficient. I am not technically qualified to offer an opinion on installations which I might see there and it is more appropriate to send qualified people to report to me. I should like to record the fact that British Nuclear Fuels have facilitated these visits and have been very forthcoming but, obviously, they are trying to sell their point of view, which I do not accept.
I am calling Question No. 12.
Deputy Allen rose.
Question No. 12 in the name of Deputy Mac Giolla.
I only asked one supplementary.
I will allow a brief question.
Since the Minister in his response introduced the whole question of communication between the Government and Britain, it is now appropriate to again ask him what is happening to our proposed action against the British Government——
This has nothing to do with a visit by the Minister. I am calling Question No. 12.
Obviously, they have dropped the action——
The Deputy's question was precise and he received an answer.
There was never any action and I have replied to that question on numerous occasions.
I called the next question, Minister.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I should like to explain this. It has been suggested in the past — but not in recent times — that Ireland could bring a legal case and that Greenpeace had produced documents to the Department of Energy which showed it was possible. In fact, the Greenpeace documents do not show that a case can be brought; I offered Greenpeace an opportunity to meet officials from the office of the Attorney General to discuss the legal case which they felt Ireland could take. Greenpeace asked for the meeting to be postponed to after Christmas and I understand it will take place shortly. I have been as open and forthcoming on this matter as I possibly can but I never said that I was taking a case on Ireland's behalf against the British authorities in relation to Sellafield.
The Government said they would take a case.
The Minister's predecessor said he would take a case.
We have strayed from the subject matter of this question. I am calling Question No. 12 and I expect to be responded to.