Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2024
136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the most recent engagement between the Environmental Protection Agency and the UK nuclear regulators, the ONR and the EA, since it was made aware of reported leaks from the Magnox swarf storage silo at the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30624/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised, the leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) facility at Sellafield was formally reported to the UK Environment Agency in November 2019. Since then, this matter has been reported on by the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) at the bi-annual meetings of the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters, including at its most recent meeting on 17 June 2024, which was hosted by the UK's Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Environment in London.
Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains open and active communication with their regulatory counterparts in the UK, that is, the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA).
Based on the information provided by the UK authorities, the EPA considers that the leak poses a negligible risk to Ireland. However, the EPA will continue to engage with its counterparts in the UK with respect to the site and its regulation. The Agency will also continue to maintain a watching brief on the status of the MSSS leak and actions being taken with respect to it.
Through engagement with these UK counterparts and the relevant regulators, my Department and the EPA are being kept abreast of all developments at the site and satisfied with the level of co-operation being provided by the UK Authorities with regard to the facilities on the site.
