Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nuclear Safety.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

20 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of nuclear incident reports received from the United Kingdom in 1997; the number received in each of the years from 1991 to 1996; the results of his most recent contacts with the United Kingdom authorities in regard to nuclear safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/97]

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

Under long-standing agreed arrangements, my Department is notified of incidents of a radiological nature as soon as the UK authorities are informed by the nuclear operators. On receipt of the notification, this Department immediately seeks the views of the RPII on the radiological and health implications for Ireland. Where individual notifications require clarification or other follow-up action, this takes place between Irish and UK officials promptly.

On-site incidents that compromise worker safety are reported to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. The Department of Transport, Energy and Communications does not receive formal notification of such incidents. However, there are arrangements in place such that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland are notified by the NII of these incidents who in turn pass this information on to me.

The number of incidents of a radiological nature reported formally to my Department from 1991 to 1996 are as follows:-

1991	—	6 Incidents
1992	—	8 Incidents
1993	—	17 Incidents
1994	—	15 Incidents
1995	—	16 Incidents
1996	—	5 Incidents

Although there has been no formally notifiable incidents in 1997 I have been made aware of a number of on-site incidents through the informal notification procedure described above. These incidents, when investigated, were of no radiological significance to Ireland.

Generally, the notification arrangements have been working satisfactorily since 1986 although I would like to see the scope of formally notifiable incidents extended to include incidents not involving a release of radioactivity.

Last month I met the British Ambassador in my office and I conveyed to her the Government's concerns relating to the recent reports of incidents at the Sellafield complex, the possibility of an accident involving the high level waste storage tanks at Sellafield and our objections to the proposed construction of a nuclear waste repository by Nirex near Sellafield. The Ambassador assured me that she would convey our concerns directly to the British authorities.

I will continue to avail of all opportunities to highlight the Irish Government's concerns about the safety of the British nuclear industry generally and Sellafield, both bilaterally and at a wider international level.