Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 18 together.

Ireland recognises the right of states to determine their own energy mix, including whether to develop nuclear power. It is our expectation that, where a state chooses to develop a nuclear power industry, this will be done in line with the highest international standards in respect of safety and environmental protection. Safety must be the first priority for all existing or planned nuclear facilities.

With regard to Sellafield, the Government continues to bring pressure to bear on the UK authorities through a number of channels to decommission and close the existing Sellafield reprocessing plant on the basis that it poses an unacceptable risk. Recently, I took the opportunity to raise Irish concerns in regard to Sellafield with the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Chris Huhne, when I met him on 26 March on the margins of an informal council of EU Environment Ministers. In our discussion, while I acknowledged the ongoing constructive dialogue between the Irish and UK authorities on nuclear safety issues, I re-iterated the concerns of the Irish Government in regard to Sellafield. Against the background of recent events at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, I emphasised the importance of the Ireland-UK bilateral notification agreement in place for the early notification of nuclear accidents or incidents. I also expressed the view that Sellafield should be covered by the stress testing arrangements for nuclear plants in the EU which were agreed by EU leaders at the European Council on 24-25 March.

Secretary of State Huhne acknowledged the Irish Government's concerns and indicated his Government's continued support for the ongoing constructive engagement between Ireland and the UK on nuclear-related matters. He also confirmed that the UK will be participating in the development of the proposed stress test to ensure that the robustness of the safety arrangements at nuclear facilities, including Sellafield, are challenged and improved where necessary in light of events in Japan.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. The concern arises not only because of the recent earthquake in Japan but because of the earthquake in Cumbria, close to the Sellafield plant site. The people of Ireland need to know what we can do to urge the British Government not alone to improve safety at the plant and be involved in the European stress test but actually to close the plant. Will the Government take steps to lead a significant international campaign to exert pressure on the British Government in respect of Sellafield, and will the Minister acknowledge that nuclear energy presents a significant risk to Irish citizens that is much greater than that posed by any other form of energy? The Minister of State sitting to the Minister's left, Deputy O'Dowd, lives in a county-constituency which has shown substantial evidence of the effects of radiation that may come from Sellafield

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There has been a great deal of rhetoric about this matter for a long time-----

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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There has been a great deal of evidence.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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-----and much rhetoric on the part of political parties on what can and cannot be done. We are dealing with a sovereign state, the same as our own. The objective of the Government is to close Sellafield but we cannot force the British Government to do so without having its agreement.

Essentially, there are two categories of concern. The first is the environmental impact of historic and ongoing radioactive discharges from Sellafield into the Irish Sea. The routine operational discharge levels have fallen considerably in recent decades and discharge monitoring data show that levels are far below those at which any impact on human health might be expected.

I took the opportunity at the first available occasion, two weeks after being appointed Minister, to meet the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Huhne, and was very satisfied with the level of engagement he has on this issue. He understood the worries, in particular those of the people who live on the east coast of Ireland. Equally, he understood the Irish position, namely, we want Sellafield to be closed.