Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new owners of Sellafield are examining plans to store radioactive waste underground in the hope that it will be recyclable and recoverable in future years; his views on this short sighted and ill advised proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13462/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A review of the long-term options for radioactive waste management in the UK was undertaken by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, an independent body established in November 2003 by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, along with the Environment Ministers for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Committee was not mandated to select a site or sites for long-term storage of radioactive waste and no site has to date been selected for this purpose. This Committee's main task was to recommend, by July 2006, how best to manage the very significant stocks of radioactive waste held in the United Kingdom.

Ireland accepted a number of invitations to participate in various consultative fora put in place by the Committee. Most recently, departmental officials together with a senior scientific officer from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) met with the chairman of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management in June 2006. My Department has also contributed on a number of occasions to written consultation procedures put in place by the Committee as part of their extensive stakeholder engagement process.

My policy was to monitor closely the work of this Committee and to use the consultation process to articulate the views of the Irish Government in relation to any proposals arising for the management and disposal of radioactive waste in the UK insofar as they might have implications for Ireland. My officials have consistently impressed upon the Committee that, given our proximity to the UK and our ongoing concerns and interest in relation to the management of radioactive waste in the UK, Ireland considers it has a significant interest in the issues under deliberation. My officials have also emphasised that Ireland is a unique stakeholder with distinct responsibilities in terms of protecting its population from the risks of ionising radiation and for planning protective and remedial measures in respect of such risks.

In my view a primary consideration in addressing waste management issues of any origin or type must involve the question of waste reduction. This is particularly relevant for the nuclear industry given the nature and toxicity of the wastes arising. The role of reprocessing within the industry requires particular consideration in this regard. However, I understand that the remit of the Committee did not extend to this issue and on this basis the range of issues raised and addressed by the Committee must be considered less than complete.

The Committee delivered its recommendations to the UK Government on 31 July 2006. The principal recommendations of the Committee were that geological disposal is currently the best form of long term management of UK's high level radioactive waste and that there should be a commitment to the safe and secure interim storage of the waste during the time it will take to plan and construct the geological disposal facility. The UK Government accepted the recommendations of the Committee and decided that it will further develop and consult on the process for implementation of such recommendations including site selection criteria. It also decided that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will be given the responsibility for developing and ensuring delivery and implementation of the programmes for interim storage and geological disposal. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is the UK State Body charged with ownership of 20 civil public sector nuclear sites including Sellafield and ensuring they are decommissioned and cleaned up safely, securely, cost effectively and in ways that protect the environment.

There is a clear need and obligation for the UK to manage the significant volumes of radioactive waste which have arisen as a legacy of their long standing nuclear programme safely and without adverse impact on the environment. Insofar as such plans could impact on Ireland, I will continue to engage proactively with all relevant UK Authorities and articulate clearly our legitimate views and concerns in relation to the development of long term radioactive waste management options in the UK so as to ensure that such options do not compromise the health or environment of Irish people.