Statement of the Republic of Ireland
4 July, 2002
Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government
The Irish Government wishes to express its concern at today's announcement
by British Nuclear Fuels that two ships carrying nuclear fuel have left
Japan destined for Sellafield.
The MOX fuel pellets which are the subject of this shipment are the same Mox fuel pellets which had been delivered by BNFL to Japan in 1999 and which are now being returned as subsequent to their original shipment to Japan it had been discovered by BNFL that some of the pellets had been falsely certified in terms of quality assurance.
The shipment of nuclear materials to and from the Sellafield plant is one of the many concerns which the Irish Government has in regard to the Sellafield plant. The concerns of the Irish Government and the public to the use of the Irish Sea for the transport of such nuclear materials have been made known to the UK authorities on many occasions. The shipment of such materials through the Irish sea, represents an unacceptable risk to the environment of Ireland and the health and economic well being of its population. There is also the enhanced risk of the shipments being the target of a terrorist attack or the materials being diverted into the hands of terrorists.
There are arrangements in place for a number of years now whereby the UK authorities notify my Department and the Department of Communications, Marine, and Natural Resources in advance of shipment of nuclear materials including the nature of the cargo. While my Department has been assured by the UK authorities that this shipment is governed by a stringent system of regulation established in line with internationally agreed standards and recommendations and that the fuel has been converted into a ceramic form rendering it incapable of triggering a nuclear explosion, I am nevertheless concerned that such shipments should be taking place. The Irish Government is concerned to ensure that vessels carrying such materials do not pass through waters under Irish jurisdictions and there are currently assurances from the UK authorities that they will not do so.
The Irish Government will continue to express its objections to these shipments. My Department will be maintaining close contact with the UK authorities in this matter.
The UK Government's decision today to establish a Liabilities Management Authority to assume responsibility for the nuclear liabilities of British Nuclear Fuels. While some observers hope that the establishment of this Authority will lead to an improvement in nuclear waste management in Britain, it will effectively allow BNFL to operate independently of the loss making side of its business and concentrate more on its core activities including reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Accordingly, the establishment of this Authority does not in any way reduce Ireland's concerns about the Sellafield operations. The Irish Government remains steadfastly opposed to the Sellafield operations and will continue to press for the cessation of all operations at the plant.
ENDS
4/7/02
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