Vol. 508 No. 1
234 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to major concern at recent reports of irregularities involving nuclear fuel rods at British Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield; if so, the action, if any, she has taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17898/99]
There have been recent reports in the media regarding the falsification of quality control checks on mixed oxide fuel, being manufactured at the BNFL plant in Sellafield. These reports described the discovery, by BNFL, of the falsification of quality control check data for 22 batches of pellets.
I understand that BNFL has carried out a detailed investigation and has ascertained that the recent consignments to Japan did not include any pellets for which quality control data had been falsified.
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has been in contact with the UK Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) who are the UK's independent regulator for the nuclear industry. The NII informed the RPII that it is carrying out a thorough investigation of the incident and has undertaken to inform the RPII of its findings.
The RPII has advised me that the incident has no implications for safety at the Sellafield plant but they will, however, continue to monitor developments in the investigation. I am very concerned that any data relating to such a hazardous material should be falsified and I will await the outcome of the NII's investigation with interest. I will consider an appropriate intervention when the facts emerge.
