Vol. 476 No. 3
12 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his Department has yet established sufficient grounds to enable a case to be taken in international courts against British Nuclear Fuels Limited in regard to developments at the Sellafield site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6900/97]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 51 on 12 February 1997 regarding taking a legal case against Sellafield and BNFL by the State. This has been and remains a very complex subject. It would be highly irresponsible to commence such a case without having the crucial element on which grounds for legal redress by the State relies, namely firm scientific evidence.
The Government has offered financial assistance and other support to the County Louth residents who are engaged in a High Court action against BNFL. This assistance would involve specific items of scientific investigation, research and other work to be identified and to seek agreement for the removal of the State as the defendant from their action. An inter-departmental working group, subordinate to the ministerial committee on Sellafield, has also been set up to assemble and provide the County Louth residents with all available documentation in Departments and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland in order to assist them in their case against BNFL. Independent of any assistance provided to the County Louth residents I am continuing to keep this subject under review with the advice and assistance of the Attorney General.
