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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 7

Written Questions. - Irradiated Fuel Monitoring.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

39 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which the UK Marine Safety Agency monitors trans-shipments of irradiated fuel originating in the UK; the representations, if any he has made to the UK authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17519/95]

My main concern in regard to this matter stems from the fact that there is no requirement in the existing International Maritime Organisation code on the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuels known as the INF Code or other international instruments under which organisations-agencies such as the UK Marine Safety Agency are obliged to involve adjoining states such as ourselves in the monitoring of shipments of irradiated nuclear fuels close to our shores.

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Gilmore, dealt comprehensively with a closely related issue in replying to questions in the House on 17 October 1995. In his reply he referred specifically to deficiencies which Ireland has identified in the INF Code and to the objective which is being pursued through the mechanisms of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in seeking to have some if not all of those deficiencies remedied at as early a date as possible.

In the meantime, the Minister of State has discussed the matter with the secretary-general of the IMO in London on 24 October and on 14 November addressed the plenary session of the 19th Assembly of that body. He presented on behalf of Ireland a resolution concerning the shipments of nuclear materials and in his address to the assembly stressed the special concerns of the Government and people of Ireland on being a coastal state near which such shipments are occuring and increasing.
Ireland presented the resolution to the assembly in order to formally set in motion the procedures for strengthening the INF Code. Through the resolution we are asking the appropriate committees of the IMO to consider in detail the issues which we have set out and to report to the next assembly.
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