Vol. 536 No. 3
130 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on reports in a publication (details supplied) that the first meeting of the European Union's political and security committee under the Swedish presidency discussed the implications of using depleted uranium ammunition in the new European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/01]
As outlined in my reply to Priority Questions No. 84 and No. 85 of 30 January, there has been consensus among all EU member states on the need to respond to public concern regarding the use of depleted uranium. I am happy to confirm that it was in this context that the depleted uranium issue arose for discussion at the meeting to which the Deputy refers.
The meeting in question took place in early January of this year and saw a number of EU partners, including Ireland, underline the importance of rapidly and clearly establishing the factual basis and parameters of the issue. Reference was also made to relevant international studies on the issue, including that by the UN environment programme, and it was agreed that matters should be kept under close review.
Since then, my Department, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces have actively monitored developments on this issue, including via the ad hoc special committee on depleted uranium which was established within the Partnership for Peace framework. The Deputy will doubtless be aware by now that a further report by the UN environment programme – UNEP – and a related World Health Organisation – WHO – report were published in March. In addition, a EURATOM expert opinion on the potential health effects of radiation from depleted uranium was issued under the aegis of the Commission. These studies found no detectable widespread contamination of the ground surface in Kosovo by depleted uranium. Likewise, no scientific evidence was found to link the use of depleted uranium to illness.
