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Nuclear Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004

Thursday, 30 September 2004

Ceisteanna (37, 38, 39)

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

33 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports that a deadly cargo of weapons grade plutonium en route from the US to France may pass close to or through Irish waters; if he has sought and received an assurance that this shipment will not pass through Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22589/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

34 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a shipment of radioactive cargo taken from the warheads of US strategic missiles bound for the French port of Cherbourg will be prevented from entering Irish territorial waters; and the communication he has had in this regard with the British Government and the owners of the ships involved (details supplied). [22636/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

43 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the response he has received to the proposal made jointly with New Zealand, Peru and Chile to the International Atomic Energy Agency seeking detailed information for coastal states on shipments of nuclear waste on international seas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 34 and 43 together.

I am aware of the proposed shipment from the United States to France. This shipment arises from an agreement between the US and Russia in regard to the decommissioning of nuclear weapons. I understand that weapons grade plutonium arising from the decommissioning process is being shipped from the US to France for fabrication into MOX nuclear fuel for application in US nuclear reactors. I understand that the shipment which departed the US on the 20 September last is expected to transit only international and French territorial waters at the European end. My officials have sought and received assurances from the United States and France that the shipment will not enter Irish territorial waters. On this basis, the issue of preventing the shipment entering Irish waters does not arise. In addition to the information received from the US and France, the UK Government advised my officials of the dispatch of the two ships from the UK to collect the shipment from the US for transport to France. This communication was on a Government to Government basis and no direct communication took place with British Nuclear Fuels Limited.

The issue of notification and communication on nuclear shipments between nuclear shipping states and non-nuclear coastal states has been a difficult issue at the IAEA for some years. Coastal states including Ireland argue that given public concern, the risk of an accident, the risk of environmental damage etc. posed by international nuclear shipments it is necessary for those states to be given detailed information regarding such shipments to allow them to assess the risk and take measures in relation to emergency preparedness and response should they consider it appropriate. The shipping states argue that these shipments utilise international waters, conform to the highest standards of safety set by the IAEA and are safe and secure. They also consider that notification and communication obligations would compromise the fundamental right of innocent passage for all high seas shipments enshrined in international law.

Ireland has participated actively and constructively on this issue annually in the IAEA General Conference. In the 2004 General Conference Ireland again adopted a key role in the drafting of the resolution on transport safety, which addresses the issue of communication on shipments between shipping and coastal states. I am pleased to say that this resolution was ultimately sponsored by Chile, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, the UK, the USA, and Turkey. It received widespread support from all of the other member states of the EU as well as numerous other delegations at the conference. It was adopted at the plenary session of the General Conference by consensus on 24 September last. While the issue will continue to prove difficult, I believe this resolution provides a basis on which to address the concerns of coastal states and Ireland with like minded states will continue to pursue these issues at the IAEA and other relevant international fora.

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