Diolch. Thank you, Llywydd, on behalf of the Petitions Committee, for the opportunity to introduce this debate on the petition calling for an environmental impact assessment, or EIA, to be carried out into the proposed disposal of sediment from outside Hinkley Point into the Bristol channel. Now, this petition collected more than 10,000 signatures, and I do not need to make Members aware of the concern that has been expressed publicly about this issue. That concern is not new, of course. This petition follows up a previous one, which was considered in detail by our committee and debated in 2018.

The sediment proposed for disposal is to be dredged as part of the construction of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset. Because the nominated disposal site, known as the Cardiff Grounds, is in Welsh waters, the licensing process for the disposal is determined by Natural Resources Wales. This includes deciding whether an EIA is required. However, earlier this month, EDF announced that it has decided itself to undertake an EIA, pre-empting that decision. Now, I want to acknowledge that step taken by EDF as part of this debate. They state that they have done so

'in order to provide the public with further reassurance that all concerns have been addressed.'

On 12 October, NRW also formally confirmed that an EIA is required. NRW has also sought to reassure that all marine licence applications are thoroughly and robustly assessed to protect people and, indeed, the environment. The fact that an EIA will be carried out answers the primary calls made in the petition, and I want to welcome the fact that this will be the case. It is clear that concern does still exist amongst some members of the public about the potential environmental and health impacts of this work. These concerns primarily relate to the contents of the sediment, due to previous nuclear power generation at Hinkley Point. It is vital, therefore, that the licensing process is conducted in an open and transparent way. That is the only way that you can reassure people that the sediment will only be disposed of if it is safe to do so. 

I also want to acknowledge that both NRW and EDF are providing regular public updates on this process, and have indeed set up a dedicated web page. The Petitions Committee has expressed concern about public communication during the early stages last time, and I am really pleased to acknowledge that improvements have been made and that people have been listened to. NRW has also pledged to consult publicly on the full licence application it expects to receive early next year. This is all to be welcomed.

For the last part of this speech, I want to refer to the concerns of the petitioners in a bit more detail. Many of these relate to the safety of the nuclear power industry full stop. Whether or not the UK uses nuclear power generation is clearly a matter beyond the scope of the marine licensing process, and indeed the powers of the Welsh Government or NRW. However, the petitioners also have concerns that can be addressed here in Wales through these processes. Most importantly, it is crucial that detailed testing and analysis is done on this sediment. That is the only way to be sure that it is safe to be deposited back into the Bristol channel. The adequacy of sampling and testing was the major area of concern for the Petitions Committee last time, as outlined in our 2018 report. NRW has approved EDF's sampling plan this time around, and the results of that testing will clearly be critical. So, I hope the Minister will be able to provide us with confirmation today that testing for the full range of radioactivity will be carried out this time around. It is also essential that the outcomes of the testing and the EIA process are openly and transparently communicated. Again, that is the only way to take the public with you and for them to achieve the confidence they need and they deserve.

Beyond the headline call for an EIA, the petition also makes detailed demands for what this should involve. The EIA process is outlined in law and regulations, but it is clearly vital that it should present a full and robust assessment of the possible impacts and risks of disposing of the sediment in this way. So, I hope that the Minister will be able to respond to these points today and also state her commitment to seeking the public reassurances that I am sure we would all like to see achieved on this matter.

I look forward, now, to hearing the contributions of other Members of this Senedd during the rest of this debate. Diolch yn fawr.