Written answers

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Nuclear Plants

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been in contact with his counterpart in the UK in view of the British Government's National Audit Office complaints in relation to the risks to the public outlined in a recent examination of the management of 50 year old storage ponds at the British Nuclear Fuels Limited facility at Sellafield; the precise nature of the concerns he has raised; if he is satisfied that the improvements promised by management are sufficient to protect persons on the east coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the publication of the Report by the UK’s National Audit Office Nuclear Decommissioning Authority – Managing risk reduction at Sellafield. Given Ireland’s long-standing concerns in relation to the operation of Sellafield, it is important that the Sellafield site and its operations are subject to independent scrutiny, such as that undertaken in the preparation of this Report. I note the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s statement that it will continue to work to improve capability and performance at the site.

The Irish Government's position is that while we chose not to use nuclear power, it is essential, given the risks to people and the environment from a failure in the containment of nuclear material, that nuclear power countries ensure their plants operate in accordance with best international practice and share information in an open and timely manner with neighbouring countries. Ireland regularly raises concerns about the Sellafield sites with the UK authorities in a number of fora, including most recently at the British Irish Council. When I next meet with my UK counterpart, I will again emphasise that we wish to see the decommissioning plan implemented and in the meantime that Sellafield is operated in accordance with best international practice.

There is an ongoing dialogue at official and regulator level with the relevant UK authorities. The UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters meets formally twice yearly to discuss nuclear safety and radiological protection. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland provides expert advice to Government and continues its programme of monitoring radiation in the environment with the aim of assessing the exposure of the Irish population.

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