Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the opinion of the European Commissioner for Energy (details supplied) that the European Union should be given control of the safety of nuclear installations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16444/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the question refers to a recent letter from the European Commissioner for Energy to all EU Energy Ministers regarding proposed changes to the European Commission's nuclear safeguards inspection system for controlling the use of nuclear materials. The new approach outlined by the Commissioner would appear to involve reduced frequency of inspections by the Commission and a greater reliance on qualitative rather quantitative analysis.

The European Commission's existing nuclear safeguards inspection regime, carried out under the EURATOM Treaty, has been a vital tool for preventing the diversion of nuclear materials away from their original intended use. I would be concerned, from the point of view of Ireland's interests, about any changes in this regime which could involve a reduced frequency of inspections.

Because of this, I have written to the Energy Commissioner, expressing serious concern about the Commission's new safeguards approach, on which I believe much detailed consultation with member states is necessary. I have asked the Commissioner to suspend any introduction of the new regime until such time as the member states have been consulted more fully about the effectiveness of any changes.

The EU Presidency has also written to the Commissioner conveying the reservations of a number of the member states about the introduction of any such new regime in the absence of any substantive consultation by the Commissioner with the member states. I understand that some other member states have also written individually to the Energy Commissioner on the same lines.