Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has made any representations to the British Government concerning its policy of building new nuclear reactors in Britain, specifically in Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43027/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Ireland is a non-nuclear state. The Government does not believe nuclear power is the answer to our energy needs and would prefer to see greater emphasis on renewable energy sources. As a non-nuclear state, Ireland does not stand to receive any of the claimed benefits from the current wave of developments in nuclear energy but must still bear any trans-boundary risks that might arise from these facilities. In view of this, the Government continues to press for the fullest possible information from the UK authorities on any activities that might contribute to that risk.

My Department is in regular contact with the relevant UK Departments and agencies on nuclear safety and radiological protection matters. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland also has regular contact with the regulatory bodies responsible for radiological protection and nuclear safety in the United Kingdom and meets frequently with my Department to discuss these matters. Through these ongoing contacts, I am informed of key policy developments with regard to nuclear power in the United Kingdom, including the proposals recently published for consultation on the planned development of new nuclear power stations. Arising from my concern and that of the Government at this proposal, I raised the issue during a meeting last week with the UK ambassador. I have asked my Department to follow up on the matter at a meeting with the relevant UK authorities this week and seek information, predominantly on any safety and waste issues associated with the proposals. My Department's priority in all discussions with the United Kingdom on its nuclear energy programme is the safety of the Irish people and the protection of our environment, particularly the shared marine environment of the Irish Sea.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In May 2008 the Minister stated a new structure had been set up at European level, namely, the European high level regulatory group, and that this was a significant development in policing the safety issues surrounding the Sellafield plant and other installations on the west coast of the United Kingdom. Has this group met or does the Minister have information on the number of times it has met? What has been its level of activity in ensuring the Irish Government's concerns are being taken on board?

I understand the Minister recently received a large report from the British Embassy. Has he issued a response to the British authorities arising from that report?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In response to the last question, no report has been received by me on the matter. As soon as I receive one, I will issue a response.

On the question of groups which have met, I met colleagues representing the non-nuclear states in Vienna. I hope another meeting will be planned shortly. It is important that the non-nuclear states combine because they are all threatened in various ways from their neighbouring states in Europe which have nuclear facilities. It is essential that the planned development of nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom proceed according to the highest possible safety standards. Moreover, it is to be expected that nuclear safety regulations will subject new reactor designs to robust scrutiny and that safety issues will be the subject of dialogue between industry and the regulators aimed at ensuring the complete safety of designs that might be approved. I note that concerns were raised about the reactor designs under consideration for approval in the United Kingdom. This will be one of the issues that will be raised tomorrow at the aforementioned meeting.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I seek clarification. When the Minister spoke about being committed to safe decommissioning at Sellafield in May 2008, he mentioned that at EU level, Ireland was supporting efforts by the European Commission to develop an increased safety role across the nuclear industry. He stated the adoption of recent European Council conclusions on the establishment of a European Union high level regulators group was a significant development in the field of nuclear safety. If this was a significant development, I would expect the group to have met a couple of times. Has it met and, if so, how many times? Were the Minister or his officials in attendance to report back on what was deemed to be a highly significant development in May 2008?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The only meeting I attended was the one in Vienna to which I have referred. I have not received any other invitations from my Department to attend other meetings. However, I make it my business to attend such meetings on receiving invitations because I consider this to be a major issue. When I spoke on it recently, I also noted that many of the new reactor designs were still in their infancy. While I would be happy to have a debate in the House on nuclear issues at any time, all the evidence suggests there would be no advantage for this country in going down the nuclear path. We would not receive any benefit and until such time as the crucial waste issue is dealt with, I do not foresee a future in this country for nuclear power.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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As a matter of courtesy, the Minister might establish whether the aforementioned group exists; whether it has met and, if so, the number of times.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I will.