Northern Minister branded 'naive' about Sellafield

Stormont Minister Dermot Nesbitt was tonight accused of being “naive” about Sellafield nuclear plant after he called for the public debate on it to be based on facts, not emotion.

At a conference in Dublin today on Sellafield, the Ulster Unionist Environment Minister said as a parent living on Northern Ireland’s Co Down coast, he was concerned about the plant.

However, cautioning Sellafield’s opponents against scaremongering, the South Down MLA said: “We must base our comments on the scientific facts.

“Too often, emotion displaces factual evidence.”

Mr Nesbitt also revealed to the Making Sense of Sellafield conference, which was co-hosted by the Irish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, he had visited the plant in Cumbria in June.

“I also took the opportunity to visit the Pacific Sandpiper ship at Barrow-in-Furness. This ship is used to transport spent nuclear fuel from overseas to Sellafield,” he said.

“I saw and heard much. I am now better informed. My impressions of Sellafield were of a site well run and well managed by thoroughly professional and dedicated staff.

“It also gave me direct insight into the approach taken to safety and security at the plant. Nevertheless, my department will continue to monitor and assess the impact of discharges from Sellafield on the Northern Ireland coastline and to provide public assurance.”

The conference, which was attended by experts on nuclear power from around the world, took place just over a week after Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior intercepted two nuclear freighters in the Irish Sea as they made their way back to Sellafield.

That journey provoked widespread anger throughout Ireland, and the leaders of all the country’s main political parties, including Bertie Ahern, visited the ship before it left dock at Dublin.

Mr Nesbitt told delegates: “It might, for example, be argued that, confronted by climate change, we need to consider further the option of nuclear power.

“Public perception is most important and every effort should be made to promote high quality debate and public participation in the decision-making process.”

Mr Nesbitt was accused of being “naive” by Friends of the Earth (FoE) nationalist SDLP MP Eddie McGrady and Sinn Fein.

Dubbing the Stormont Minister “Nuclear Nesbitt“, FoE head of campaigns in Northern Ireland, John Woods challenged his allegations about the Sellafield staff.

He also noted: “Following the attacks on New York, Mr Nesbitt indicates he is satisfied about the security of Sellafield.

“The fact is, there is no practicable defence against suicide attacks by determined terrorists.”

South Down MP Eddie McGrady accused Mr Nesbitt of “showing no real empathy or feeling for people on the east coast of Ireland who are deeply opposed to the continued reprocessing of the world’s radioactive waste at the plant“.

The SDLP MP continued: “His statement takes no cognisance of the many accidents which have occurred over the years at the plant. No reference is made to the concerns and fears of the people on this side of the Irish Sea about the transportation of the MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield.

“He simply takes the word of the Office for Civil Nuclear Safety on the transportation of nuclear waste – he does not take the word or reflect upon the research of other eminent scientists. Quite clearly, the minister has adopted the viewpoint of the British Government.”

Sinn Fein’s Environment spokesman in the Stormont Assembly, Francie Molloy, accused Mr Nesbitt of putting the “interests of Britain above the interests of Ireland and the safety of Irish people“.

The Mid Ulster MLA argued: “Sellafield has an atrocious history of leaks, accidents and cover-ups. The British government has behaved arrogantly and irresponsibly and has blatantly ignored the well-founded concerns of Irish citizens.”