Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if contacts are being maintained with the British authorities in relation to Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/05]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a submission to the nuclear decommissioning authority in the United Kingdom on its draft strategy as part of the official consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27905/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 545 together.

Ongoing contact through correspondence and meetings at ministerial, official and expert level is being maintained with the UK authorities regarding a range of issues in relation to the Sellafield nuclear plant. These contacts are productive and reflect an increasing recognition by the UK Government of the serious concerns held by the Irish Government in relation to Sellafield. There remains, however, a significant difference of views between the Irish and UK Governments regarding the continued operation of Sellafield. The UK response to concerns raised by Ireland is that operations at Sellafield are safe and do not adversely impact on the environment. This Government holds a significantly different view and has at every opportunity expressed this view directly to the UK Government and its relevant authorities at all levels.

The incident at the THORP facility earlier this year is a case in point. While officials from my Department were advised about this incident by their UK counterparts in accordance with the established co-ordination and co-operation procedures between the two countries, this was a very serious incident. I will be meeting the UK Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry, Alan Johnson MP, later this month in London where I intend not only to raise this issue but also to reiterate Ireland's concerns on Sellafield and the nuclear industry generally.

In addition to contacts with ministerial colleagues, my officials and scientific experts from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland continue to meet with their UK counterparts on a regular basis during which Ireland's concerns regarding operations at Sellafield are raised. The institute's visit to the Sellafield facility in September 2004 was no exception and I was pleased to attend the launch of a very comprehensive report on the visit last April. Furthermore, the Garda Síochána visited the facility in June 2004 and, as with the institute, the UK has undertaken to facilitate further such visits in the future. Finally, my Department continues to participate in the numerous consultative fora instigated by various UK departments and their agencies regarding nuclear issues. My policy is to use the consultation processes to articulate the views of the Irish Government in relation to nuclear issues and to ensure Ireland's interests are represented and protected. My officials have consistently impressed upon the UK that Ireland, as a unique stakeholder, has a significant interest in the nuclear issues under deliberation in the United Kingdom. The recently published UK nuclear decommissioning authority's draft strategy is under consideration by departmental officials and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. A briefing for Irish officials by the UK on the draft strategy is planned for later this month and my Department will submit its comments on the draft strategy to the authority shortly thereafter.