13 April 2005

Environment

Wylfa Concerns

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action which has been taken by him since assuming office in putting pressure on the UK Government to close the Wylfa nuclear plant on Anglesey Island in Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government:  

Since my appointment as Minister, I have availed of every opportunity to articulate and convey to the UK authorities at diplomatic and ministerial level the Government’s continuing concerns regarding nuclear safety. These include our concerns about old Magnox reactors, such as those at the Wylfa nuclear power plant; we have consistently called for the early closure of these reactors. Those at Calder Hall and Chapel Cross have recently closed while the Wylfa plant, where safety concerns are less acute, is due to be decommissioned in 2010.