Strasbourg, 26/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, called on the European Commission to consider opening an investigation into the dangers linked to the repair in Gibraltar of the nuclear submarine "Tireless". This investigation will enable the Commission to establish whether the authorities fully respected Community law and in particular the Directive concerning the protection of the public against radiation risks.
The European Ombudsman intervened after having received a complaint that was sent to him by the ombudsman for the region of Andalucia, Chamizo de la Rubia. The source of the complaint is found in several social and political organisation from the Gibraltar region, regrouped under the name "Plataforma Contra el Submarino del Campo de Gibraltar", who are concerned with the potential dangers for the health of the local population. The plaintiffs reproach the British authorities for not having taken certain measures for the protection of health and for not having provided sufficient information to the public, as is required by several European Directives.
EUROPE recalls that the Commission already asked for information from the British authorities on the conditions in which these repairs are being carried out (see EUROPE of 15 November, p.14). An initial answer from the British authorities had not been considered entirely satisfactory by the Commission, which had requested additional information. At the same time, the Commission referred to its legal service over the implementation of the Directives on its own competence to act, as an initial step.