Govt starts legal action on Sellafield

The Government was today launching legal action against the United Kingdom over plans for a controversial new reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

Ireland has long been concerned over the environmental impact of the Cumbria plant on the Irish Sea, and its worries have been heightened by the fear of terrorist attack since the September 11 strikes in the United States.

The Republic was further infuriated by the UK government’s October 3 decision to allow the construction of the mixed plutonium and uranium oxide (MOX) plant.

Today’s legal action was taking place under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Ospar Convention on the Marine Environment.

Deirdre Clune, environment spokesman for opposition party Fine Gael, told BBC Radio: ‘‘We are delighted to see our government taking this kind of action.

‘‘This is something that is of concern to everybody on this side of the Irish Sea.

‘‘Our chief worry prior to September 11 has always been environmental pollution, the threat of radioactivity being released into the Irish Sea, and we have had evidence of it sweeping across to our coasts.

‘‘Since September 11, the anxiety has heightened and there is a genuine fear of terrorist attack on Sellafield right now.

‘‘The British government’s announcement of the go-ahead for the MOX site created much anger.’’

Similar nuclear plants in France had been equipped with ground-to-air missiles and armed guards since the terror attacks on the US, said Ms Clune.

She added: ‘‘We don’t see any evidence of additional security provided around Sellafield following September 11.

‘‘BNFL tell us they are reviewing security. It is a matter for the UK government, if they believe there is a risk of terrorist attack on Sellafield, to review security at the plant.’’