Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

As a Galwayman and as a Deputy from the parish of Caltra, I congratulate Deputy Gilmore on his appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I thank him for his contribution. The earthquake that struck Japan on 11 March has resulted in the biggest crisis to face the country since the Second World War. I would like to extend my sympathies and those of the Fianna Fáil Party to the people of Japan in what is one of their darkest hours. They have not only endured a devastating earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale but they have also had to contend with a tsunami and a nuclear crisis. The scale of this disaster is difficult to imagine. Reports indicate that more than 21,000 people lost their lives in the disaster and the World Bank said it may cost Japan as much as €145 billion to repair the damage.

One cannot put a price on the human scale of the disaster. There has been a devastating loss of life. At least 50,000 people are homeless and millions are without fuel, food or running water. The scale of the disaster is unprecedented and terrifying. I was shocked that much of the immediate coverage of the crisis was accompanied by reports about its impact on share prices and interest rates. I found such coverage in the wake of the earthquake insensitive, given the scale of the disaster.

As the world has followed events in horror and in sympathy, many of us have been impressed by the quiet stoicism and dignity with which the Japanese have dealt with their plight. According to websites monitoring events, foreign observers have been amazed at the orderliness of the Japanese, even among the homeless. There has been a remarkable lack of looting and of civil disorder. The Japanese people have endured natural disasters previously and they are better equipped than most to deal with such a disaster. However, even they are struggling to deal with the scale of the challenge.

I was glad that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy O'Sullivan, confirmed yesterday that the expertise and services of our Irish rapid response unit set up in the wake of the Asian tsunami was offered to the Japanese Government following the crisis. I appreciate that our offer was not taken up on this occasion but perhaps, as the crisis continues, these highly trained experts may be deployed where they can make a contribution. I worked with this unit when I served as Minister of State in the Department and we had to deal with other humanitarian crises.

The Irish response to the crisis has been channelled through our membership of the European Union and the UN. Recently the Japanese Government appealed to the EU for assistance and the Government made €1 million available to the fund. Perhaps as the crisis unfolds, the Government will consider making a further contribution to the fund because this would have the full support of the people. The reality is the Japanese have a long road of recovery ahead of them.

An EU civil protection assessment and co-ordination team arrived in Tokyo last Saturday to co-ordinate an operation at EU level, bringing together assistance of the member states. I am not sure what role Ireland has in this effort but perhaps the Minister will refer to this later. Furthermore, the issue is to be raised at the EU Council in Brussels at the end of the week, which is a welcome development. I am a little disappointed that the new Minister has only issued two press releases on the subject since he took office. Given the scale of the disaster I expected that he might have been more vocal on the issue but I appreciate he is reading himself into the brief. Will he comment on this?

The magnitude of the earthquake was equivalent in power to 30,000 Hiroshimas and it generated a wave that wiped out entire towns and cities. As if this was not bad enough, there is now a nuclear crisis. There have been explosions, fires and releases of radiation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Latest reports indicate it may take some time to stabilise the reactors in the plant. Understandably, this has caused huge concern in Japan and abroad, as there is a long history of cover ups and controversy surrounding nuclear power in Japan. Those living and working near the plant face a terrible dilemma about whether to go or stay. There are reports that those living and working in the vicinity are completely unprepared for such an eventuality. They have not received training on how to avoid radiation or what to do in the event of a nuclear emergency. Almost 250,000 people living within a 20 mile radius of the plant are directly affected in the short term. News reports suggest that no manuals about emergency plans have been provided to local residents, as is standard practice in other countries with nuclear plants such as the US and the UK.

This has raised concerns in Japan regarding the other 54 nuclear reactors and about the location and design of some of the other plants. The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has expressed serious concern about the Fukushima plant. Questions have also been raised about the role of regulation, after it was revealed that last year regulators gave the all clear to a 10-year extension for Fukushima's No. 1 reactor, its oldest, which began operating in 1971. Apparently, faults were found in the plant but the owners were given five years to address the problems. Please God there is no risk to public health but this crisis once again puts the issue of nuclear power on the international agenda. This issue of nuclear power is sensitive in this country given our long history with the Sellafield power plant. Over a 50-year period there were more than 20 serious incidents in Sellafield and successive Governments have campaigned for its closure.

Nuclear power was adopted in Japan due to their lack of natural energy resources and for reasons of security of supply. However, a key component of any nuclear power strategy is transparency and accountability. This crisis may signal the end of the trust the Japanese people placed in nuclear power and it will surely make many Japanese people rethink this strategy. This is Japan's worst nuclear crisis for 25 years. For critics of nuclear power, it has highlighted several problems, particularly the need to acknowledge risks and the need to prepare for worst case scenarios. This crisis has also succeeded in putting the issue of nuclear power on the European agenda. The EU agreed this week that 143 reactors in Europe should be subject to new safety standards and I welcome the inclusion of Sellafield on this list.

Like the Minister, I compliment our ambassador and embassy staff in Tokyo. I acknowledge the efforts of the Ireland Japan Association, which has set up a special fund for those who wish to contribute in a practical way to help those affected by the earthquake disaster. I offer my condolences to the people of Japan on the terrible tragedy they are enduring.

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