Vol. 474 No. 7
33 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if the Government will support the call by a person (details supplied) that the International Atomic Energy Agency be disbanded and replaced; if so, the action, if any, the Government will take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1379/97]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 585 of 22 January 1997, in which I set out the Government's position in relation to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world's central intergovernmental agency for co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ireland's membership of the Agency ensures that we have a direct say in ensuring that the highest standards of nuclear safety, radiation protection and emergency preparedness apply in the nuclear industry worldwide and in influencing matters relating to nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation of nuclear materials, nuclear liability and compensation.
The Government, therefore, does not consider it prudent to seek the dissolution of the IAEA.
