asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will state, in the context of the Government's consideration of a decision relating to a nuclear-powered plant for this country, the arrangements that have been considered with regard to the disposal of radioactive wastes.

In the event of Government approval for the inclusion of a nuclear power station in the ESB generation plant programme, the ESB will be under an obligation to satisfy the requirements of the Nuclear Energy Board regarding the safe disposal of radioactive waste.

Is it likely we will have a decision in the immediate future? Has consideration been given to the fundamentally important question from the health point of view of the disposal of radioactive waste, and would the Minister say the kind of consideration that has been given to it?

A Government decision on this is imminent. Various inquiries have been made and a decision will be given in the near future. Obviously the question of radioactive waste has arisen and some thought has been given to it. The NEB might require that the fuel contractor would take back the spent fuel from the reactor.

If the decision is imminent, obviously consideration has been given to the disposal of waste. But do I interpret correctly the Miniser as saying that it is possible the Government might pass off the responsibility for insuring public safety in some way to the contractor? Does the Minister agree that in the Irish Sea there is at present only Windscale, that that might be the area at which the Government might want to dispose of the waste, and would he accept that as satisfactory?

I do not accept the suggestion about Windscale. Under an order made by the then Minister for Transport and Power, under the provisions of section 6 of the Nuclear Energy Act, 1971, which order came into effect in July 1977 the custody, use, disposal and so forth of fuel or such other radioactive substance or devices, including radioactive waste products, are prohibited save under licence issued by the Nuclear Energy Board as an agent for the Minister.

That does not answer my question. I only asked for information in regard to the disposal of waste. Is it not fair to assume that the Minister has a fairly solid idea of where the waste would be dumped?

I gave one example of the sort of thinking going on. Any other decisions will be by the NEB and we can assume they will look after the interests of the country.

I would not assume that. I would advise the Minister not to pass it off in that way.

Before I call on Deputy Ruairí Quinn to ask a supplementary question I must point out that a question does not necessarily mean that one can raise every aspect of the matter just referred to. We must be specific, otherwise we will not reach those questions for which many Members are waiting for answers.

On a point of order. I addressed my remarks totally to the disposal of waste.