Minister: Incident at British nuclear plant could result in food industry hit to Ireland

Ireland could take an economic hit if there is an accident at a new nuclear power plant in England, according to the environment minister.

Alan Kelly said food controls would be needed if there were any accident at the plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

The minister says the plant, which is 240 kilometres from the Irish coast, will not pose any health risk through its everyday operations.

But in response to written Dáil questions, he said any incident at the plant could have an impact on the Irish food industry, and result in controls on the foods that humans would be allowed to eat.