45 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for the Environment in view of his role as chair of the Government committee on Sellafield, the implications to date of the Government's acceptance of a resolution on 30 October 1996 calling for acceptance in principle that the Government should back the STAD case. [9745/97]

The Government decided on 5 November 1996 to offer State financial assistance and other support to the County Louth residents taking court action against BNFL. The assistance applies to specific items of scientific investigation, research and other work to be identified. The Government also decided to seek agreement for the removal of the State as a defendant from the action being pursued by the residents.

Details of the decision were subsequently conveyed to the Louth residents at a meeting with members of the ministerial committee on Sellafield and the Irish Sea. Matters discussed included access to scientific reports and other relevant documents held by Departments and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland — RPII — and identification of other possible areas of support. The residents were invited to explore possibilities in this regard and to submit proposals for consideration in line with the terms of the Government decision on the matter. The residents recently submitted two claims for costs incurred in respect of the legal action conducted to date and these are being examined at present.