Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the issues discussed by him during his recent meeting in Dublin with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7440/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, in the Custom House on 16 February. Dr. El Baradei who had met the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs separately earlier that day, was in Dublin at the invitation of the Trinity College Philosophical Society.

I took the opportunity to emphasise Ireland's opposition to nuclear as a source of energy. I stated that Ireland's opposition to nuclear is borne out of genuine concerns about safety. A major accident at an installation abroad could have the potential to impact on public health and the environment and could damage Ireland's economy significantly. I referred to Ireland's concerns about Sellafield, in particular, the poor safety practices at the plant borne out by numerous incidents down the years.

Dr. El Baradei foresaw an inevitable expansion in nuclear energy capacity over the next 20 years, driven by energy needs and concerns about climate change. He respects Ireland's position and is aware that Ireland works closely with the IAEA on safety matters. Given the likely expansion of nuclear, he considers that there is a need for the IAEA to put even more emphasis on safety aspects also.

I referred to the recent ECJ judgment in regard to Ireland's legal action against the UK and stated that, in the light of the judgment, I have stressed to the EU Commission that it should exercise its responsibilities and assume a greater supervisory role in regard to safety of nuclear facilities.

Regarding the THORP leak, I informed the Director that I had sought from the UK an international expert peer review of the safety case for re-opening THORP but the UK has not responded positively. Dr. El Baradei was also informed of my recent meeting with Mr. Alastair Darling M.P., Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, where I raised this issue.

Dr. El Baradei stated that the IAEA does everything in its power to improve safety standards but it does not have the statutory right to inspect facilities. The IAEA provides a Peer Review service to States if asked to do so by the State and the IAEA tries to encourage use of this service.

I conveyed Ireland's concerns about the recent US-India Agreement referring to the fact that Ireland strongly supported the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) regime to which India is not a party. I referred to a meeting I had with the Indian Prime Minister's Special Envoy in Dublin recently in which I had conveyed Ireland's concerns. Dr. El Baradei said he had earlier discussed this Agreement with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Dr. El Baradei considered that the Agreement had a zero impact on the NPT but felt that there are positive aspects on the safety and environmental side.

I believe that the meeting and discussion was constructive and that Dr. El Baradei has a clear understanding of Ireland's position on nuclear matters as well as an appreciation of our constructive engagement in the IAEA.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the continued processing of nuclear waste in Sellafield; the discussion he has had with the UK authorities regarding operations and safety at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7443/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on his meeting with the British Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr.Alistair Darling, on 9 January 2007. [7345/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

There are two fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield. The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) reprocesses uranium oxide fuel used in nuclear reactors in UK, Europe and Japan, while the Magnox reprocessing plant reprocesses spent fuel from Magnox reactors primarily in the UK. The current stated position of the UK Government is that based on current contracts the THORP Plant (subject to its early reopening by mid 2007) will complete its reprocessing operations in 2010 while the Magnox plant will complete in 2012. No new contracts are currently foreseen and in the event of the UK Government proposing further contracts, it will consultwidely.

I met Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry, Mr. Alistair Darling, in London, on 9 January 2007. The meeting focused on issues relating to Sellafield and in particular the THORP plant. While our meeting was cordial there was a very frank exchange of views.

I made very clear to the Secretary of State the extent of this Government's concerns regarding Sellafield. I strongly underlined our view that the operations there are uneconomic, environmentally damaging and have a particularly poor track record in safety. I also emphasised our particular concerns regarding THORP, which has been closed for nearly two years following a serious leak. I impressed upon the Secretary of State the Irish Government's strong view that the operating life of THORP should not be extended and called upon the UK Government to undertake an international expert peer review of the safety case prior to the reopening of the THORP Plant. The response of the UK Secretary of State to this proposal was, regrettably, less than positive.

In the context of the outcome to the UK Energy Review, I also advised the Secretary of State that adverse consequences have arisen for Ireland as a result of nuclear policy decisions and actions taken by the UK in the past and the building of any new nuclear power stations in the UK would be viewed by us in that context. I also sought and received assurances from the Secretary of State that new nuclear build was not proposed for Northern Ireland.

I have little doubt that it is the diplomatic and legal initiatives of this Government in regard to Sellafield that have resulted in the greatly increased recognition by the UK Government and its Agencies of the priority accorded to the issue of Sellafield by the Irish Government. I am confident that my meeting with Secretary of State Darling served to highlight, again, the Government's concerns and to reiterate our ongoing commitment to securing the safe and orderly closure of the Sellafield Plant.