Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for tabling this important motion and affording me the opportunity, of which I am pleased to avail, to speak to the House on it. I welcome the motion and the spirit in which it has been tabled. It is an important recognition and endorsement of the Government's strategy on the Sellafield site and its operations.

On 24 June 2003 the tribunal established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, delivered what I regard as a significant interim judgment in our case against the Sellafield MOX plant. This judgment recognised, by way of an order of the arbitral tribunal, Ireland's claim that the necessary co-operation and consultation required between the United Kingdom and Ireland was inadequate. The award of the OSPAR tribunal was published today. I am pleased to have the opportunity to report to the House on the outcome of these proceedings also.