Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999

Vol. 503 No. 1

Written Answers. - Radioactive Waste.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

41 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has reported to her in relation to its examination of information and documentation concerning the probability risk assessments which cover the high level waste storage tanks at Sellafield; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9162/99]

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

I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 18 February 1999.

The RPII's visit to Sellafield which I referred to in my reply of 18 February 1999 will take place at the end of April.

At my meeting on 25 February 1999 with UK Minister Meacher in London which dealt mainly with Sellafield discharge authorisations and the future of the MOX plant, I again raised the Irish Government's concerns about the safety of the storage of high level waste in liquid form at Sellafield. I reiterated the Government's desire to see the speedy clearance of the backlog of this waste much earlier than the proposed 2015 target date. In response, Minister Meacher could give no commitments in this area. Accordingly, I will ensure that in future bilateral contacts with UK Ministers or officials that our concerns about this subject will continue to be raised.