US embassy cable - 04DUBLIN1385

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001385 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2014 
TAGS: KNNP, ENRG, PREL 
SUBJECT: IRISH RESPONSE TO EUROFAB DEMARCHE 
 
REF: STATE 198909 
 
Classified By: DCM Jonathan Benton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) On September 17, DCM and French Charge d'Affaires, 
Luc Serot Almeras, jointly delivered reftel talking points to 
James MacIntyre, Department of Foreign Affairs EU Division 
Counsellor, and Joseph Mooney, Department of the Environment 
Assistant Principal Officer for Nuclear Safety.  Almeras and 
the DCM noted that the talking points on the pending 
plutonium shipment had been agreed by the U.S. and French 
Governments and would also be delivered to the Spanish and 
Portuguese Governments.  At Almeras' urging, the points were 
not left behind as a non-paper. 
 
2.  (C) MacIntyre expressed thanks for the notification, 
adding that the GOI was aware of the planned shipment and 
respected our position on the rights of freedom of navigation 
and passage.  Consistent with Ireland's long-standing 
position in the IAEA, however, the GOI had concerns about the 
safety, security, and potential environmental impact of the 
transportation of nuclear materials.  He explained that the 
Irish public shared these concerns and that environmental 
issues could figure significantly in the October 22 Irish 
presidential election.  (The Greens may be the only party to 
field a candidate against the incumbent president, Mary 
McAleese.)  MacIntyre said that advance notification would 
allow the GOI time to plan for any emergencies or risks 
associated with the nuclear material.  He also indicated that 
the GOI would appreciate prior notification of any future 
shipments. 
 
3.  (C) Mooney mentioned that the Minister of the 
Environment, Martin Cullen, planned to make a press statement 
on September 17 in response to Irish media inquiries prompted 
by a September 16 London newspaper article about the 
shipment.  In addition, on September 17 the Irish Times 
reported concerns voiced by Rep. Ed Markey (D - 
Massachusetts) about the adequacy of security arrangements 
for the shipment.  Post has also seen a September 16 internet 
statement by Greenpeace protesting the shipment.  DCM 
requested that the Minister's statement not formally 
acknowledge the shipment, primarily for safety and security 
reasons.  Mooney responded that it would help to have 
assurances on safety, and the DCM reiterated that the 
shipment would exceed the international maritime safety 
standards established by the protocols listed reftel.  DCM 
also stressed the experience of the Pacific Nuclear Transport 
Limited crew, the reinforced structures of the vessels, the 
availability of assets to address contingencies, and the 
distance of the ship's routing from Irish territorial waters. 
 Mooney asked when the shipment would occur, and Almeras 
cited the time frame of the "near future." 
 
4.  (C) Comment: Minister Cullen had not issued a statement 
as of this writing, and Mooney told econoff the afternoon of 
September 17 that he could not guarantee that a statement 
would be issued before the weekend.  Post will forward to 
EUR/UBI any press statement that might be released. 
KENNY