Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view the failure to raise the concerns of the Members of Dáil Éireann at the planned privatisation of British nuclear fuels with the British Prime Minister as expressed during a debate on 5 April 2006, the plan of action the Government intends to implement to encourage the British Government to change their minds on this dangerous proposal; and his plans to mount a diplomatic campaign on this issue. [16519/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the efforts which have been made by him and the Government to dissuade the British Government from privatising the Sellafield nuclear power plant. [16557/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 together.

On 30 March 2006 the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) published their new strategy document. This outlines how the NDA proposes to tackle the decommissioning and clean up of the 20 nuclear sites, including Sellafield, over which they have control. The decision by the UK Government to approve the sale of British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd. was made in the context of this Strategy.

The activities of privatised companies involved in the nuclear industry require close scrutiny and coordination, to ensure that safety is not compromised in pursuit of profit. I raised specific concerns about the use of private contractors in the industry when I met the Chairman and the Chief Executive of the NDA on 18 November last in Dublin. I also made clear in that meeting and in an earlier meeting with the UK Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Johnson MP, in October 2005 that the issue of safety at Sellafield must be paramount and the reduction of hazards and risks on the site must be the priority.

Regardless of the privatisation of any element of the British Nuclear apparatus, the Irish Government will continue to hold the UK Government accountable and responsible for the operation of the Sellafield Nuclear Plant. The current position whereby both the ownership of the site and control of the operations undertaken at Sellafield are the responsibility of the UK Government through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will continue. The UK authorities have confirmed to my Office that the privatisation of the British Nuclear Group will not alter this position.

The issues raised for Ireland by the continued operation of the Sellafield Nuclear Plant remain a priority for the Government and our policy remains to use every diplomatic and legal initiative to secure the safe closure and decommissioning of the Plant. I have on behalf of the Government robustly pursued our policies in relation to Sellafield with all levels of the UK and EU administrations and I will continue to do so.