Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Nuclear Accident.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

394 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he is concerned about a nuclear accident in 1993 at a power station on Anglesea in north Wales which could have led to a catastrophic meltdown; if he will ensure that the concerns of the Irish people are expressed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13164/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I am deeply concerned about the extent and potential seriousness of the nuclear incident which occurred at Wylfa in north Wales in July 1993. The evidence which emerged in the recent court case only serves to increase the Government's worries about the ability of nuclear operators to manage such a hazardous industry. My concerns are compounded by media reports yesterday of the incident at Dungeness a nuclear power station in Kent.

Since the report of the Wylfa court case, I have written in the strongest terms to the UK Minister for Energy, Mr. Tim Eggar, MP, and to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Mr. John Gummer, MP, expressing my grave concern at the seriousness of the nuclear incident and the failure of Nuclear Electric plc to react promptly to the possibility of a serious accident. I have also expressed the Government's and the Irish public's concerns about the age, safety and reliability of Magnox reactors, such as those at Wylfa, Sellafield and Dungeness and, indeed, the level of safety in the UK's nuclear industry generally. In addition, the Attorney General has been asked to examine if there is any scope for Ireland to take an action under the EURATOM Treaty in respect of the Wylfa incident. Also, my Department has sought a full report from the UK authorities on the Dungeness incident.

Furthermore, I have called on the UK Government to phase out all Magnox reactors in the interests of nuclear safety and radiation protection. In this context, I have sought an immediate review of the closure and decommissioning strategies of the UK's nuclear companies and have called for decisions on shutdown of Magnox facilities to be taken without delay. On a more general level, the Ministerial Task Force on Sellafield and the Irish Sea is examining all possible avenues open to the Government to remove the serious threat posed by the UK's nuclear industry.