asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if his attention has been drawn to the recent statements by the Commission of the European Communities at the European Parliament that: (a) EIB and EURATOM loans to the extent of 50 per cent are available for a nuclear power project at Carnsore Point; (b) EIB and ECSC loans to the extent of 50 per cent are available for the Moneypoint power station; (c) radioactive waste from the proposed Carnsore Point nuclear station will have to be reprocessed in the United Kingdom or France; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware of these statements, which in fact were based on replies by the Commission of the European Communities to various questions tabled in the European Parliament relating to the ESB's proposed nuclear power station at Carnsore. The full texts of the questions and answers are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities of 25 June, 1979—No. C.158/6.

In relation to the first two parts of the Deputy's question, I can tell the House that Community loans to the extent mentioned are available for both projects, to the extent of course that it is decided to go ahead with them. Moreover, I am further advised that each of these projects may ultimately qualify for additional Community loan financing through the newly established Community borrowing and lending instrument, that is, the "Ortoli Facility".

In relation to the third part of the Deputy's question, the EEC Commission did not say that nuclear waste would have to be reprocessed in the UK or France but rather that reprocessing facilities would be available in these countries.

Would the Minister not agree that it is a general assumption on the part of the Commission that since Ireland is highly unlikely to have any reprocessing facility constructed here any such waste would have to be reprocessed in the United Kingdom or in France, and also that all the indications are that the United Kingdom and French authorities are most unlikely to accept any waste from this country?

I would have thought that the indications were the very opposite, that the United Kingdom and French authorities are looking for business. They are very glad to get the Japanese business they have at present.

Surely the Minister is aware that the respective Departments in the United Kingdom and France are extremely reluctant to accept waste from any plant that would be constructed in this country?

No, I have no evidence whatever of that. On the contrary, I would imagine they would welcome it.

Has the Minister any evidence to that effect?

The only evidence I have that they would welcome it is that at present they are out looking for business, looking for spent fuel to reprocess.

Would the Minister not agree that any such acceptance on their part would be on the basis of French or United Kingdom reactors being constructed in this country?

No, absolutely not.

That that is the kind of quid pro quo that is in mind? Would the Minister agree that the only context in which waste would be accepted into the United Kingdom or France would be on the basis of reactors manufactured or constructed in those countries, placed in this country, and must be reaccepted back into those countries?

I have already told the Deputy that that is not my belief or understanding of the situation.

Certainly it is the understanding of the Commission.

10.