Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 6

Written Answers. - Euratom Treaty.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

21 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, he has taken at European level to secure an updating of the Euratom Treaties to take account of the interest of non-nuclear jurisdictions sharing land or maritime borders with nuclear jurisdictions and the interests of countries or peoples in whose environment nuclear testing is carried out; the further steps, if any, he intends taking to secure a review of Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17377/95]

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

At the time of entry into force of the Euratom Treaty in 1958, the European nuclear industry was in its infancy and, therefore, one of its primary aims was to further an ambitious research and development programme for a powerful nuclear industry. The terms of the Treaty were based on the assumption that uranium would replace coal as the world's energy source. The EC therefore considered the importance of establishing an institution specifically to deal with nuclear energy.

However, it must be considered that the Treaty was drawn up nearly 30 years ago and that much has changed since then. The health and safety provisions of Euratom which includes Article 34, are relatively weak, not surprisingly given the relative lack of appreciation in the 1950's of the dangers of ionising radiation and the lack of emphasis on environmental issues in general.

A possible review and update of this Treaty to place a greater emphasis on health, safety and environmental aspects is among the ideas being considered by the Ministerial Committee on Sellafield and the Irish Sea.

The Irish member of the EU Reflection Group which is helping to identify options for discussion at the InterGovernmental Conference in 1996 has raised the question of strengthening the nuclear safety and radiation protection provisions of the Euratom Treaty. However, it should be noted that any amendment to the Euratom Treaty requires unanimity and this may be difficult to achieve given the strong views of certain member states on furthering the use of nuclear power.