The Green Party has criticised the Government¿s "inaction" over the cargo of MOX nuclear fuel which is due to be transported through the Irish Sea next week.
The party's environment spokesman Mr Ciaran Cuffe was speaking at the launch of a Nuclear Flotilla, which will sail out to the nuclear cargo ships as they enter the Irish Sea, from the Poolbeg Yacht Club in Dublin today.
Mr Cuffe said the Irish people should not be expected to "put up with the Government's inertia over this matter. If the Japanese will not accept the safety risk posed by this fuel, then our Government should be equally adamant.
The nuclear shipment, delivered to Japan in 1999 from British Nuclear Fuels Limited, was rejected when it failed quality assurance checks.
Welcoming today's launch, Mr Cuffe said the peaceful protest seemed to be the only affirmative action over the issue and had the full backing of the Green Party.