Vol. 507 No. 2
21 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she received satisfactory assurances from the British Minister of State for Energy and Industry on the shedding of 500 jobs by BNFL at Sellafield and the possible compromising of safety at the plant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16460/99]
On 21 May last, I met with Mr. John Battle, MP, UK Minister of State for Energy and Industry, in Dublin. I raised with him the Government's concerns about any possible safety implications associated with proposed job cuts by BNFL.
Minister Battle assured me that the UK Health and Safety Executive, HSE, would ensure that staff deployment at BNFL was at sufficient levels to maintain safety standards. In a recent follow-up meeting between UK and Irish officials, the UK representatives re-iterated their position that the HSE would satisfy itself that safety standards would be maintained. If necessary, the HSE has the power to prevent any job cuts taking place.
BNFL has already stated publicly that staff reductions will not take place unless it is safe to do so and operational performance can be maintained or improved. Both my Department and the RPII will keep this matter under review in the course of contact with the relevant UK authorities.
