Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

Concerns existed around the coast over the proposal to transport disused nuclear vessels to Sellafield to be dismantled. At the time, the Naval Service and the Army kept the vessels in question under surveillance. I am not sure of the final outcome of this matter. Is there any way to strengthen the law so we will have more effective control over vessels which pass through our territorial seas? This is particularly pertinent for nuclear vessels, which are banned from our harbours, and may be done through the involvement of the European Community. A year ago, widespread anxiety existed with regard to this matter. It seems to have died away because the vessels did not come. The possibility remains that discarded vessels may be sent to harbours in the UK to be dismantled. We need to be vigilant on this matter and strong legislation is necessary to protect our coastlines and harbours.