29th November 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALL FOR ENHANCED ROLE FOR IRELAND IN SELLLAFIELD MONITORING

The Green Party has called on the Irish Government to take a stronger role in monitoring the Sellafield Nuclear Plant. It was reacting to a Report from the Sellafield Committee of the British–Irish Inter–Parliamentary Body.

“Currently the Irish Government can only monitor Sellafield at the whim of the UK Government” stated Deputy Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party. “We feel that An Taoiseach should insist that the Irish Government is given rights to inspect Sellafield on a formal basis.

“We suggest that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland should inspect the Sellafield Plant on a regular basis, and should be given a status similar to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This would ensure that the Irish Government receives first-hand information, rather than Public Relations spin from British Nuclear Fuels.

The Green Party is also concerned that many countries are using Sellafield as a nuclear dustbin. Countries such as Japan that have sent nuclear waste for reprocessing at the THORP Plant are contractually obliged to take back the reprocessed fuel, but so far no materials have been returned. This is creating significant amounts of liquid high-level waste that poses a significant risk to human health if it were to be released in a terrorist attack.

Mr. Cuffe also expressed concern that no changes have been made to the no-fly zones around Sellafield:

“Currently commercial flights are routed only seconds away from Sellafield. We feel that the no-fly zone should be extended to give more protection for the plant.”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, TD       087 265 2075 or 677 3372

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer 087 235 7551 or 618 4088