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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Nuclear Disaster Risk.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

35 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he proposes to take with the Russian authorities in view of a recent statement made that the risk of nuclear disaster in Russia is not limited to nuclear power stations and that the nuclear warheads which are now being repatriated to Russia via the major cities are a permanent threat, firstly because of the risk of railway accidents is high and secondly because the warheads are stockpiled in dilapidated buildings with little security; and if he will raise this matter at the next meeting of the European Council of Foreign Ministers.

I am informed that the repatriation of all tactical nuclear weapons to the Russian Federation from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine was completed earlier this year. The Russian authorities are now proceeding with a programme of storage and dismantlement towards which a number of Western countries with expertise in this area are contributing financial and technical assistance. The Russian Government have given assurances that a very strict safety system has been put in place to prevent any possible threat to the nuclear weapons while they are in storage. I believe that the co-operative approach being followed represents the safest way to address this serious problem and I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to monitor progress in this area very closely.

The difficulties facing the former Soviet Union in dealing with tactical and strategic nuclear weapons underline the validity of the positions taken by Ireland on these weapons over the years. We shall continue to press for an end to nuclear testing, full and wider application of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and complete nuclear disarmament.
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