Anger as nuclear plant gets go-ahead

The first of several new generation nuclear power plants in Britain yesterday got the go-ahead from the European Commission in a controversial decision to allow London hand over huge subsidies.

Due to be built over the next 10 years at Hinkley, close to Bristol and roughly 240km across the channel from Wexford, the deal is expected to clear the way for a spate of new reactors across Europe.

The Greens in Ireland accused European chiefs of breaking their own competition rules and the Irish Government of turning a blind eye.