Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action which has been taken by him since assuming office in putting pressure on the UK Government to close the Wylfa nuclear plant on Anglesey Island in Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11168/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Since my appointment as Minister, I have availed of every opportunity to articulate and convey to the UK authorities at diplomatic and ministerial level the Government's continuing concerns regarding nuclear safety. These include our concerns about old Magnox reactors, such as those at the Wylfa nuclear power plant; we have consistently called for the early closure of these reactors. Those at Calder Hall and Chapel Cross have recently closed while the Wylfa plant, where safety concerns are less acute, is due to be decommissioned in 2010.

Ireland has also responded to various UK public consultation processes concerning the regulation of the UK nuclear industry covering such matters as the management of radioactive waste in the UK; a review of UK energy policy; and the UK strategy for discharges from nuclear installations. The Government has repeatedly contended in these responses that the risks and unresolved problems associated with the nuclear energy industry, when added to high research and capital costs, including decommissioning costs, as well as continued additional safety and security costs, mean that nuclear energy is not sustainable.