HC Deb 19 November 2001 vol 375 c101W
Llew Smith

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received since September from his Irish counterpart in respect of Sellafield; and what response he has made. [14695]

The Prime Minister

The Taoiseach and I discussed the Sellafield MOX Plant on 8 October. I subsequently wrote to the Taoiseach about the matter.

Mr. Stunell

To ask the Prime Minister what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the request by the Government of the Republic of Ireland on 26 October for a voluntary suspension of the authorisation of the Sellafield Mox plant; and if he will make a statement. [14723]

The Prime Minister

The decision that the manufacture of MOX fuel was justified was made by the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Health on 3 October. The Government of the Republic of Ireland are challenging this decision in the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea. The Secretaries of State have declined Ireland's request to suspend their decision.