48 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the sites shortlisted for the national central storage unit for disused radioactive waste; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29795/01]

I refer the Deputy to my response to Dáil Question No. 40 on 17 October 2001. Arranging for the establishment of a national facility for the long-term safe storage of low level radioactive waste is a complex and protracted project which requires detailed and careful consideration. While a number of sites have been short-listed as possible locations, site evaluation visits to establish if these sites meet the needs of a secure waste facility have yet to be arranged. It is premature to publish the working list of prospective sites until these evaluations have been completed.