Vol. 470 No. 6
11 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position regarding possible legal action against the British authorities arising from a proposal to construct a nuclear dump at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19573/96]
12 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications in view of the reported statement of the Minister of State, Deputy Mr. Stagg, that the Attorney General is planning an action in relation to Sellafield based on studies currently to hand, the author, date of publication and content of the study or studies which the Minister of State has cited; and the progress, if any, to date on the promised legal action. [19016/96]
29 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to statements from the Minister of State at his Department, Deputy Mr. Stagg, that the Attorney General is planning an action on Sellafield; and the current definitive situation in relation to the Attorney General's ongoing review of a possible legal action on the Sellafield issue. [19013/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 29 together.
First, in view of a recent misleading newspaper headline in The Examiner concerning the Government's position on legal action against Sellafield, I take this opportunity to clarify the matter to the House. The particular article gave the impression that an imminent legal challenge was being planned by the Attorney General concerning British Nuclear Fuels' facilities at Sellafield. This is not correct. My Department, acting on the advice of the Attorney General, is organising the gathering, investigation and processing of the available scientific evidence which might provide grounds for legal redress by the State. The editorial in the newspaper concerned accurately reflected my comments as did a subsequent article in the same newspaper on the following day.
As to the disclosure of the studies under consideration, I am advised that it would not be prudent, nor would it be to the State's advantage, to divulge details about the authorship, date of publication and content of such studies. This Government has always been and continues to be committed to legal action against Sellafield if a case for it can be shown to exist.
One possibility includes the question of recourse to arbiration under the Paris Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Land Based Sources. Additional scientific information and studies which have recently come to hand concerning the storage arrangements for highly active liquid waste at Sellafield are under consideration. Proposals have been made for further research which is considered to be necessary into this aspect of the matter and these proposals are under active consideration.
The House will also be aware of the Government's opposition to the proposed construction of an underground rock characterisation facility or laboratory at Sellafield by UK Nirex, the radioactive waste management company in the UK. I see this facility as a precursor to an eventual nuclear waste dump. Earlier this year I appeared before a public inquiry in Cumbria and made a detailed submission opposing such a facility. In addition, I am consulting with the Attorney General about what further actions are open to me under EU and international law in the event that the appeal by Nirex against the refusal of planning permission is successful.
Vigilance relating to activities at Sellafield will remain a priority for this Government and I will continue to avail of every opportunity to eliminate the threat posed by Sellafield.
