Submission to the: “Transboundary environmental public consultation” re. Hinkley Point C, UK, Nuclear Power Plant

Date: April 17th 2018 Version: Final 1.0 1

Introduction to the Environmental Pillar The Environmental Pillar is comprised of 29 national independent environmental nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), who work together to represent views within the Irish environmental sector. The Environmental Pillar was established as an independent national social partner by decision of the Government in 2009. It also provides a channel for the Irish government and other social partners to engage with the environmental sector on policy matters. The work of our members covers a broad range of areas including habitat conservation, wildlife protection, environmental education, sustainability, waste and energy issues, as well as environmental campaigning and lobbying. The members work towards achieving Sustainable Development, according to the Rio Declaration of 1992. These principles require the balancing of the three pillars of Sustainable Development – social, environmental, and economic.

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Contents Introduction to the Environmental Pillar ................................................................................................ 2 Introductory Remarks and Executive Summary ..................................................................................... 4 Section 1: Deficiencies in the UK’s assessment of transboundary impacts to Ireland. ........................ 15 A. Failures in the assessment of risks to Ireland in the Article 37 report on which the screening determination relied; ........................................................................................................................ 17 B. Further considerations in relation to flooding and seismic risks and impacts of fracking on seismic risks ...................................................................................................................................... 29 C Issues with the adequacy of beyond design risk assessment ........................................................ 31 D. Failure to assess the transboundary impact of extraction or uranium ........................................ 31 E. Failure to assess the cumulative and transboundary impacts of normal operational discharges HPC, and the UKs existing and proposed nuclear inventory. ........................................................... 32 F. Failure to assess the transboundary impacts associated with on-site storage of radioactive waste. ................................................................................................................................................ 32 G. Failure to assess the transboundary impacts associated with the disposal of radioactive waste. .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 H. Serious gaps in the considerations within the EIS ........................................................................ 33 I Assessment of the transboundary impact from the construction of the outfall pipe .................... 33 Section 2. Other considerations emerging contributing to a transboundary risks............................... 34 Brexit ................................................................................................................................................. 34 Flamanville III , Le Creusot Forge and the ONR and the Environment Agency ................................. 34 Indirect impacts – UK’s nuclear military agenda .............................................................................. 39 Ability of Ireland to react and mitigate against impacts:.................................................................. 43 Alternatives Assessment. .................................................................................................................. 45 Conclusion: .........................................................................