Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999

Vol. 503 No. 1

Written Answers. - Convention on Nuclear Safety.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

27 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has to improve the provisions of the convention of nuclear safety in order to protect Ireland's interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9157/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

Ireland has no proposals at present to amend the International Convention on Nuclear Safety. This convention entered into force in October 1996 and to date has been ratified by some 50 countries, including Ireland and the UK. The convention commits contracting parties to achieve and maintain high international safety levels in the regulation, management and operation of land-based nuclear power plants.

Given that the convention has only been in operation for a comparatively short period, Ireland would consider it prudent to assess the practical impact of the convention over a longer period before contemplating any amendments to the convention.

The first peer review meeting under the convention will take place under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency during the period 12-23 April 1999. Ireland will be represented at this peer review meeting. It will provide the opportunity for contracting parties to assess the effectiveness of the convention through the consideration of the country reports produced by each contracting party on how they are complying with the obligations of the convention.

The convention represents the type of significant international commitment to nuclear safety which Ireland and like-minded non-nuclear States have been trying to establish for many years. I am hopeful that the convention will prove to be a breakthrough in fostering a global nuclear safety culture and provide a forum for extensive information exchange on nuclear safety matters.