Chairperson, the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs was briefed by the Department of Minerals and Energy and considered the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
The objective of the joint convention is to make sure that management and maintenance is achieved worldwide. It seeks to ensure that management of radioactive waste is effective and that there is defence against potential hazards. It encourages the prevention of accidents and the mitigation of their consequences, should they occur. It also reinforces the implementation of the basic safety criteria and standards currently used in the regulation of nuclear activities in South Africa, thus ensuring the continued protection of all South Africans as required by the Constitution.
The legal obligations of the convention are provided for in the Nuclear Act and through the National Nuclear Regulator, under the supervision of the Departments of Minerals and Energy, and Health. The two departments will be responsible for the implementation of all provisions of the incentive convention. If the House agrees to the accession, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will sign and South Africa will be party to the convention.
On behalf of the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs, I move that the House adopts the report. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
That concludes the debate. I shall now put the question. The question is that the report be agreed to. As the decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all the delegation heads are present in the Chamber to cast their provinces' votes. Are all delegation heads present?
In accordance with Rule 71, I shall first allow provinces an opportunity to make their declarations of vote if they so wish. We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province. Delegation heads must please indicate to the Chair whether they vote in favour or against or abstain from voting. Eastern Cape?
Iyaxhasa. [Supports.]
Free State?
In favour.
Gauteng?
Siyavuma. [We support.]
KwaZulu-Natal?
Steun. [Supports.]
Limpopo?
Limpopo ondersteun. [Limpopo supports it.]
Mpumalanga?
Siyayixhasa. [We support it.]
Northern Cape?
Steun. [Supports.]
North West?
Re a dumela. [We support.]
Western Cape?
Steun. [Supports.]
All provinces voted in favour. I therefore declare the report agreed to in terms of section 65 of the Constitution.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with Section 65 of the Constitution.
I have been informed by the Whippery that there will be one speakers' list for the Ninth and Tenth Orders.