Wallstrom suggest EC arbitration on Sellafield

The European Union’s Environment Commissioner, Margot Wallstrom, has advised the Government to seek talks with Britain over the controversial Sellafield nuclear plant.

Ms Wallstrom said Ireland should submit details of the legal challenges its has launched against British Nuclear Fuels to the European Commission, which could then broker talks.

The commissioner also said today that Ireland must comply with EU environmental directives, particularly a 10-year-old nitrates directive which has been implemented in all EU member states except Ireland.

Yesterday, figures released to the Green Party showed that Ireland has received 111 complaints from the EC over its failure to implement environmental measures, including many relating to waste and waste management.

This is the highest per-capita number of complaints received by any EU member state.

Environment Minister Noel Demspey defended his record in the face of this criticism and said Ireland has implemented 97% of all EU directives.