Windscale information and parliamentary visit
Allen challenged the Department’s stance and asked whether Irish parliamentarians could visit Windscale amid difficulty obtaining accurate information. Collins said the Department closely monitored nuclear matters, described an information-sharing agreement, and undertook to consider the visit.
This will be a short one. Would the Minister agree that his Department's view has changed from being a dismissive one about 12 months ago to one now where they are taking problems seriously?
Comment on this
Will the Minister say yes? The Deputy wants him to say yes.
Comment on this
Since we are finding it impossible to get accurate information about what is going on at Windscale will the Minister consider requesting the British authorities to allow a number of Irish parliamentarians to visit the project?
Comment on this
We have always been closely involved and would be most concerned if there were any developments which would endanger life or the environment. The Deputy can rest assured that we will continue to keep a close watch on this matter. I should add that there is an agreement between the Nuclear Energy Board, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment on the exchange of information with regard to the Irish Sea. As regards the possible visit by parliamentarians to Windscale I will look into this matter and contact the Deputy.