Brussels briefing

Staying silent with our nuclear neighbours

For some reason, Ireland has not made a submission on behalf of its citizens to the British government on the implications of not one but two new replacement nuclear reactors at a cost of €14bn at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, England, Labour MEP Nessa Childers points out.

It will be the first plant built in the UK for 25 years, has been 10 years in the planning by French EDF, and when it begins operation in 2018 will provide up to 13% of needs. It will be subsidised by a levy on all electricity users in the UK.