Cullen to raise Sellafield concerns

Environment Minister Martin Cullen is expected to raise fresh concerns about the Sellafield nuclear plant when he meets British Energy Minister Brian Wilson later today.

Mr Cullen is expected to press Mr Wilson about reports of a leaking roof at a 50-year-old storage facility for radioactive waste in Sellafield.

British Nuclear Fuels, the company which operates the controversial plant, has insisted that there is no leak and no danger of contamination.

Mr Cullen, however, has said he is very concerned by the reports and has asked the Irish Radiological Protection Institute to get involved.

A confidential memo from the British Environment Agency also claimed recently that BNFL wanted to increase its dumping of radioactive waste into the Irish Sea to avoid spending money.