Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

The rules governing the construction and passage of nuclear carriers are of great interest to many people. What rules apply at present under international maritime law and the treaties to which we subscribe? The biggest stocks of plutonium and uranium in the world are located in Sellafield, just across the Irish Sea from County Louth. Can the Minister assure us that ships which carry lethal spent nuclear fuels are not travelling through Irish waters?

A number of issues have arisen in recent decades. On one occasion, we sought clarification from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the movement of nuclear waste through our waters. There were also sagas involving old ships that had been irradiated and were sailing to the east coast of the UK for breakage. The previous Minister for Transport, Mr. Cullen, reassured people about incidents which arose in 2002 and 2004.

How does the international code for the safe carriage of packaged irradiated fuel, plutonium and high level radioactive waste on board ships apply to flag states? Section 37 refers to ships carrying waste as being unsafe vessels but the new rules being introduced would allow their passage through our waters. It is a conundrum. The Minister argues that we are applying international conventions but is it in our interest to align ourselves with international practice?

My amendments No. 1 and 2 to amendment No. 51 deal with the structure of double hulls and flag states, respectively. The most unsafe vessels of all are registered in flag states. We need reassurance on these points.

My amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 53 provides that the rules governing nuclear carriage shall apply to all vessels in Irish waters. Amendment No. 2 to amendment No. 53 provides that owners and masters have a clear duty to fulfil these rules where their ships enter our waters.

This is an extraordinary and difficult Bill and this new section is bigger than the original. It is a messy way to legislate and I do not know why these matters were not included in the original legislation.

I have provided for fines of 10% of turnover in regard to nuclear carriage violations because we would be dealing with very wealthy companies. I accept that we are subscribing to international conventions but I have grave concerns about unsafe ships passing through our waters.

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