Sargent slams Government over nuclear shipments

Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD today expressed his concern and bitter disappointment that the Government had agreed to the shipment of nuclear fuel through the Irish Sea.

Mr Sergent was responding to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche's announcement that he is happy with assurances on the shipment given by UK authorities today.

"The fact that the Irish Government spent most of the day talking with the UK authorities about this shipment indicates that assurances were not sought before today," he said.

"This, in turn, indicates that the Government was not aware that this shipment was taking place. It also indicates that the British government had not consulted or informed them of the shipment, contrary to the system of voluntary, confidential, advance notification that Minister Roche claims is in operation.

"The so-called assurance that Minister Roche 'secured' – that the Atlantic Osprey vessel will not enter Irish territorial waters – is cold comfort. If there is an accident or if the shipment is attacked in the Irish Sea, the health and safety of the Irish public will be desperately endangered.

"Only yesterday, a British Foreign Office official said that Al-Qaida is actively seeking materials for nuclear weapons. The fact that I could get my hands on the details of this shipment shows how lacking in security these nuclear transports are.

"I am deeply concerned that this and other shipments could be targeted by terrorists seeking radioactive materials, or that it could be involved in an accident in what is a very busy shipping channel."