Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the usage of inferior nuclear reactors by the British power stations; if he will list such reactors and their location and threat to the Irish general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7205/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The UK's nuclear power programme, announced in 1955, called for 5,000 megawatts of generating capacity through the construction of a series of Magnox reactors across the country. The fuel used in Magnox nuclear reactors consists of natural uranium encased in magnesium alloy.

In May 2000 BNFL announced the planned closure dates for its then remaining Magnox reactors. Following a number of safety-related incidents at both the Calder Hall and Chapelcross reactors, the closure dates for these reactors were brought forward as their continued operation could not be justified economically. The UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2010-2020 (DEFRA, 2002) also brought forward the closure dates for the Oldbury and Wylfa reactors.

Currently, there remain two operating Magnox reactors in the UK at Oldbury and Wylfa both located on the west coast of the United Kingdom close to the Irish Sea. Closure dates for these reactors are 2008 and 2010 respectively. The UK Authorities advise that all nuclear installations including the Magnox reactors are subject to strict regulatory and safety oversight by the independent nuclear regulatory body, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII). In accordance with the enhanced co-operation arrangements currently in place between the UK and Ireland on nuclear issues, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) visited the Wylfa nuclear plant in September last and a detailed report of the visit is being prepared for publication.

Details of the location and the operating status of the Magnox reactors in the UK are set out in the Report of the RPII Visit to BNFL Sellafield published in April 2005 and can be accessed on the website of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland at www.rpii.ie.