I am aware of recent media reports regarding an, as yet, unpublished report by the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology which I understand includes references to potential impacts of aircraft on UK nuclear reactors. This report when published will be considered by my officials with the assistance of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII.
The latest reports follow a series of media reports in late March on security matters at Sellafield, including references to alleged breaches of the no fly zone around Sellafield by military aircraft, the relative vulnerabilities to aircraft attack of the Sellafield nuclear plant and the provision of additional physical security measures at Sellafield. On foot of these latter reports, I have written to The Rt. Hon. Ms Patricia Hewitt, MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, seeking a report on the various issues raised and I am awaiting a reply.
The safety of Sellafield, and the protective measures in place to secure this, are a particular ongoing concern in Ireland, and are the subject of regular discussions at both ministerial and official level between the UK and Ireland. They have also been addressed in the context of Ireland's case concerning the Sellafield MOX plant under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS. However, the response by the UK, that access to security sensitive information is restricted to those who have an operational need for such information, severely restricts the potential for providing the necessary reassurances to the Irish public in relation to our legitimate concerns regarding the significant risks posed by an accident or malicious attack at Sellafield.
On this basis, there is a clear need for an agreed, structured and meaningful exchange of sensitive security information which will meet the confidence building and assurance needs of Ireland in relation to safety and security at Sellafield without compromising the security needs and concerns of the UK in relation to such information. As long as Sellafield poses a threat to the health and environment of Irish people, I will continue to ensure that these concerns are reflected in our ongoing contacts at ministerial and official level on nuclear issues.
