Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Written Answers. - Sellafield Nuclear Plant.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

27 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the actions he has taken to ensure that the British authorities are aware of our views in relation to any modernisation or expansion plans at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

32 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Energy the number of times the question of the closure of Sellafield has been brought to his attention in Dáil Éireann or, indeed, by any other means, since 1989; if he will outline the amount of his time which has been spent answering or making representations to British or European authorities on this matter; if he has satisfied himself with the existing situation, particularly in the light of the proposed THORP development at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

40 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Energy the strategy which is being pursued by the Government to halt the continued expansion of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

55 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Energy if his attention has been drawn to reports that a study carried out by UK NIREX found that a proposed site for a repository for nuclear waste underneath the Sellafield plant may not be safe; if he has sought a copy of the study from the UK authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Question Nos. 27, 32, 40 and 55 together.

The Government's concerns about expanded reprocessing at Sellafield have been repeatedly conveyed directly to the British authorities.

I have met the former UK Secretary of State for Energy and raised with him our serious concerns about nuclear power in general and have called for closure of the Sellafield plant. I have also been in direct communication in similar terms with the former Secretary of State for the Environment — who now happens to have ministerial responsibility for energy following the recent changes in Government in the UK — in regard to the Sellafield facilities and who is aware of the Government's views.

Information requested by Deputy Callely as to the amount of time I have spent on representations to British or European authorities in regard to Sellafield, and in regard to the number of times the question of closure of Sellafield has been brought to my attention in this House, may be obtained by a perusal by him of the record of the proceedings of this House.

Within the EC, Irish uneasiness and concern about nuclear safety and our insistence on new control measures, notably at EC level, have been raised at every opportunity. I raised the matter again at the EC Energy Council Meeting on 29 October 1991 when I said that my concerns were exacerbated by the absence of any move in the direction of independent verification and inspection of nuclear installations which I and my predecessors have been advocating under Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty. In addition, I have put our view on two separate occasions to the European Parliament. Other Government Ministers and officials of my Department have pressed home the message on every possible occasion.

Pressure of this kind is the only course open to us at present in this matter in the absence of a basis for legal action, a situation on which I have elaborated in reply to other questions.

I am aware of recent articles in the press regarding reports that Sellafield may not be a suitable location for an underground repository.

I have received copies of these reports which are of a very detailed technical nature from the relevant UK authorities. They are being closely examined by my Department, including the geological survey, in consultation with the Radiological Protection Institute.

I also welcome the further announcement by UK NIREX on 2 June that they are delaying for one year the submission of a planning application for the proposed repository. This delay will give the opportunity for continuing examination of the implications for Ireland of a repository, and for further representation to the UK authorities in relation to the matter.