Call for urgent check on Sellafield

IRISH nuclear experts must be allowed to examine Sellafield immediately, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said yesterday.

The Government must declare unconditional war on the British nuclear industry in the interest of public safety and national security, Mr Kenny said.

“The post 11 September world increases exponentially the nuclear threat to Ireland’s safety. With the first anniversary of the terror attack imminent and speculation of renewed attacks rife internationally, dramatic political intervention at the highest levels can be the only adequate response to the potentially catastrophic threat posed by the British nuclear facility,” he said.

Speaking at a meeting with Greenpeace representatives on board the Rainbow Warrior, the FG leader said the Government had failed to honour a pledge made five years ago to shut Sellafield.

He said the Taoiseach must now use his special relationship with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He urged the Taoiseach to demand that BNFL honour the invitation made last year to Ireland’s nuclear experts, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, to visit Sellafield.

“Given BNFL’s track record, we must see for ourselves. The Taoiseach needs to announce a date for that visit as soon as possible,” Mr Kenny said.

The Rainbow Warrior is in Dublin to lead a flotilla of ships protesting against and monitoring the transport of nuclear material from Japan back to the MOX facility at Sellafield via the Irish Sea.

Sinn Féin said the Government should send out an Irish Navy vessel to ensure that the two ships carrying the nuclear fuel do not enter Irish waters.

Sinn Féin environment spokesman Arthur Morgan said direct action was needed to prevent the Irish Sea being used as a nuclear highway and dumping ground. The Government should take the lead from New Zealand, which supported a flotilla of small vessels against the passage of the fuel through the Tasman Sea, the Louth TD said.

“Using a naval patrol vessel to ensure that these shipments do not enter Irish territorial waters would send a very powerful message around the world as well as providing a degree of safety and protection to the flotilla,” he said.