Dáil Éireann - Volume 482 - 12 November, 1997

Written Answers. - Magnox Nuclear Reactors.

Ms Shortall Ms Shortall

34. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the ageing British Magnox nuclear reactors are currently passed their planned existence and that they constitute a considerable additional risk of nuclear accident; if she will highlight the need to decommission them as a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14923/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob) Joe Jacob

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob): The oldest type of reactors in the UK are Magnox reactors and are located mainly on the west coast of Britain. Of the 11 Magnox power stations throughout the UK three have now been closed. Calder Hall, now nearly 40 years old, houses the four ageing Magnox reactors on the Sellafield site. Originally built in 1956, these reactors have exceeded their expected design life by 20 years. They are inferior to modern reactors and cannot be adapted fully to meet modern safety standards.

1135

Securing the closure and early decommissioning of the UK's Magnox facilities will [1135] remain a priority for this Government. It is my intention to raise this and other issues when I meet the UK Minister for the Environment later this week.

Dáil Éireann 482 Written Answers. Magnox Nuclear Reactors.

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