Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:136 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when a central national facility for the treatment and storage of radioactive waste generated in the country will be provided. [4881/99]
Written Answers. - Waste Management.
The storage and disposal of all radioactive waste in Ireland is regulated by way of a licensing regime implemented by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
The institute carries out regular inspections of storage arrangements for radioactive substances and is satisfied that the current arrangements ensure that all sources of radioactivity in Ireland are currently stored in a way which does not pose a hazard to people or the environment.
The institute has recommended the establishment of a centralised waste management facility to cater for the long-term storage of radioactive substances. Discussions have taken place between my Department and the institute with a view to the development of proposals for such a facility. I am currently awaiting proposals from the institute.