Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I fully agree there is a role for the IAEA. The EU also has a responsibility in this area. In addition to speaking with Dr. El Baradei, I have spoken on several occasions with Commissioners Dimas, Frattini and Piebalgs. The uniformity of views in this House is helpful in drawing their attention to our concerns.

I also agree with the Deputy that the nuclear lobby, which I regard as cynical and sinister, is using the issues relating to climate change and energy security as a means of scaremongering and encouraging a stampede back to nuclear power. After the accident at Three Mile Island, the entire build stopped. Unfortunately, however, there is now equivocation in some European states. As Deputy Morgan observed, it is a self-serving analysis that will lead Britain to decide to expand its nuclear power capacity.

We must be continually vigilant through the means available to us. I agree with Deputy O'Dowd that there is little we could do if a major incident took place at Sellafield. This is the issue we must keep bringing to the attention of the British. They have a moral responsibility in addition to their economic responsibilities. The Deputies are correct that the way forward is through more effective lobbying from the non-nuclear states in Europe.

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