Expert warns nuclear industry against complacency on safety

THE RADIOLOGICAL Protection Institute of Ireland has warned against complacency in the nuclear industry following the Fukushima power plant disaster in Japan in March.

At the first conference of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (EnsReg) in Brussels yesterday, institute chief executive Dr Ann McGarry said “nuclear states” had the primary responsibility for ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety.

However, she said that while Ireland did not have nuclear power, “all countries have a role to play in this important work”.

As outgoing chairwoman of EnsReg’s working team on improving transparency, Dr McGarry told the conference that regulators needed to ensure the nuclear industry operated in a way that ensured the safety of all citizens.

“There is no room for complacency in improving nuclear safety throughout Europe and the Fukushima accident reminds us that this is paramount,” she said.

EnsReg, Dr McGarry added, allowed all EU member states the opportunity to participate in the technical and expert discussion.

“Working together in EnsReg, the European regulators can help to bring about improvements through identifying and addressing key challenges and establishing good practice. ”

The conference, which continues today, is to consider the work undertaken jointly by European regulators to improve nuclear safety and the management of radioactive waste over the last 10 years and will highlight future challenges.

A session today will be devoted to the follow-up to the Fukushima incident at a European level and, in particular, to the targeted risk and safety assessments of European nuclear plants, known as the EU “stress tests”.