THREATENED cutbacks in the British Health and Safety Commission's budget could have "serious consequences" for this country, the leader of the Fianna Fail group, Mr G.V. Wright, warned the Seanad yesterday.
The commission's remit covers safety standards in Britain's nuclear industry, he said, and is one of the areas under threat according to a letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the BBC.
In the letter, privately addressed to the British Secretary of State for the Environment, Mr John Gummer, the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, Mr Frank Davies, singled out the nuclear industry as one of several where he "could not guarantee" the maintenance of necessary health and safety standards.
Mr Wright called for the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, or the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, to urgently look into the matter and to report back to the House.