Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a mechanism under EU law whereby Ireland could seek resources from the UK or directly from the EU to fund preparations for the possibility of an accident at Sellafield nuclear power station or other such power stations. [17299/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In the event of a natural, technological or environmental disaster inside the European Union, the European Community Mechanism for Civil Protection provides for Member States to request assistance in the form of interventions from other Member States where domestic emergency services need support to cope with the particular disaster. The Mechanism is operated by an EU Civil Protection Monitoring and Information Centre which is accessible 24 hours a day and able to react immediately. Assistance under the Mechanism is normally in the form of specialised personnel and specific equipment and supplies, rather than financial resources. Offers of interventions by participating States are on a voluntary basis in response to requests. The Mechanism has been used also to provide support outside the EU, including in respect of the earthquakes in Pakistan and Iran.

In addition to this EU Mechanism, there is the International Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, which entered into force in 1991. Under the Convention, Contracting Parties, which include Ireland and the UK, are required to co-operate between themselves and with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to facilitate the provision of prompt assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency to minimise its consequences. The Convention also provides that, where a Contracting Party needs assistance in the event of such an accident or emergency, whether or not the accident or emergency originates within its territory, the Contracting Party may call for such assistance from any other Contracting Party directly, or through the IAEA, or, where appropriate, from other international inter-governmental organisations.

As the House will be aware, Ireland and the UK signed a bilateral agreement in December 2004 relating to the early notification of a major nuclear accident or radiological emergency and the swift exchange of information in the event of such an accident or emergency. In addition to this Agreement, Ireland, specifically the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, has been given access to the UK's radiation monitoring system which ensures real time data on radioactivity levels arising from any such accident or emergency is immediately available.

Finally the Irish Government has in place a National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents designed to respond to a major emergency at a nuclear installation in the UK or elsewhere that could result in radioactive contamination reaching Ireland. The Plan conforms to best international standards and practice as established by the IAEA. It is regularly exercised and is continuously reviewed and updated in the light of technological, scientific and medical advancements. Given the continuous review, updating and regular testing of the Plan and the international assistance that would be available under the EU Community Mechanism and international Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, I am satisfied that the Plan is robust and that the country is ready to respond effectively to any such accident or emergency.