Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - British Nuclear Industry.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

30 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the issues, if any, that have been brought to his attention regarding the activities of the British nuclear industry; the progress, if any, made on the Blueprint for Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14073/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

402 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether he intends to make representations opposing the proposed NIREX nuclear dump, Sellafield at Anglo-Irish political level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14402/96]

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

403 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position in relation to efforts of the Government to bring about the closure of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, including the possibility of taking legal action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Stagg)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 402 and 403 together.

The present Government, in its policy agreement document, A Government of Renewal, has clearly set out its views on nuclear threats arising from the British nuclear industry, particularly from Sellafield. A committee of Ministers was set up last year to co-ordinate a strategy to progress the Government's policy in this area and develop a blueprint for action to implement various proposals. Action has already been taken on many of the commitments and is proceeding on others.

Concerns about the British nuclear industry identified by the committee have received my priority attention over recent months and I have availed of every opportunity to raise my strong objections and concerns about the industry's activities.

In this regard, I have voiced my concerns to the British authorities about specific incidents at nuclear plants and the safety aspects of facilities at Sellafield, THORP and the ageing Magnox reactors and the privatisation of the UK nuclear industry. High level diplomatic approaches have been made to countries which supply spent fuel to the THORP reprocessing facility.

At a public planning inquiry in January of this year, I also objected to NIREX's proposals for the establishment of a rock laboratory near Sellafield which I regard as a precursor to an eventual underground nuclear waste repository. It is expected that the inquiry inspector will complete his report by the end of October and that the Secretary of State for the Environment will consider the inspector's conclusion later this year. Pending the inspector's report and the UK Secretary of State's decision, I am consulting with the Attorney General about what further actions are open to me under EU and international law. If appropriate, I would also be prepared to make approaches at diplomatic level.

Many of these issues I have discussed were also raised a recent meeting of the Ireland-UK contact group on nuclear issues.

One of the commitments in the blueprint is to reassess legal opinion on the possibility of taking a court case over Sellafield. The committee of Ministers on Sellafield has asked the Attorney General to reassess the possibilities for legal action against Sellafield. A firm legal base on scientific evidence is, of course, a vital element in this matter. There are ongoing inquiries in this regard and the position is kept under constant review.

Recently in the Supreme Court, counsel for the State supported the four Dundalk residents in their action against an appeal by BNFL over the decision of the High Court last year which established the jurisdiction of the Irish Courts to hear the substantive case against BNFL. My Department is also making available to the Dundalk plaintiffs, on a voluntary basis, its files and documentation concerning Sellafield and other related aspects relevant to the Dundalk plaintiff's substantive case.

These actions and positive steps are clear evidence of my commitment to action against Britain's nuclear industry. I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to an effective strategy to minimise the threat posed by all British nuclear activities and will ensure that no effort is spared in doing so.