Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 30 May 2000 For Use: 31 May 2000

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is renewing its call for a public enquiry into Dounreay - and this time it is expected that the Islands councils and Highland will be asked to sign up to the growing demand for a full blown look at the future of the Caithness plant.

Speaking on the issue before the meeting of the Comhairle's Environmental Services Committee today, Chairman Donald Nicholson said:

"I am coming to the conclusion that the issue is no longer one of an enquiry into the years of mismanagement of Dounreay but one of the future prospects for the site. It is by no means clear that the current consultation process is all it seems to be. For instance it is very convenient that there is only one realistic option, that of above ground storage. As far as I am aware there is no other such facility in the UK, indeed the technology to do this is not readily available. What if this is merely a device to establish this type of site in the north as the repository for the country?

We need to have a closer look at all the issues. The people need to have the knowledge to decide for themselves for their posterity and the environment".

The committee is to be addressed by Lorraine Mann, well known representative of Scotland Against Nuclear Dumping.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer