Activists and TDs still want plant closed

Reaction: Opposition parties and campaigners have stepped up calls for the closure of Sellafield following the disclosure that the Thorp reprocessing facility will close within seven years.

A group of Dundalk residents who are taking a High Court case against the Thorp plant cautiously welcomed the reports but said they would continue with their action.

Fine Gael's environment spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen, called on the Government to immediately seek clarification from the British Government on conflicting reports regarding the future of the Thorp nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

"Britain enjoys economic benefits from the Sellafield operation. Ireland gains nothing, except the serious risks posed to our health and our environment," Mr Allen said.

Environment spokesman for Labour, Mr Eamon Gilmore, also called for a specific closure date for the plant and said the continued operation of Sellafield posed an unacceptable risk to Irish citizens.

"There is little doubt that the days of Thorp are numbered as the deteriorating economics of the operation and enhanced environmental demands create a combination of circumstances that will make the plant non-viable," Mr Gilmore said.

Mr Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party described Thorp as a "white elephant" and said he hoped Thorp's eventual closure would mark the beginning of the end for Sellafield.

Sinn Féin's environment spokesman, Mr Arthur Morgan, said he hoped the transportation of nuclear waste through the Irish Sea would cease sooner rather than later.

Members of the Stop Thorp Alliance Dundalk (STAD), who are taking a High Court action against the reprocessing facility, said they would continue their case.

Four Dundalk-based residents have been pursuing a challenge to the plant in the Irish courts since 1994 and claim Britain failed to observe EU directives on the reprocessing plant. They want an order from the High Court directing BNFL to comply with those directives.

They have also taken proceedings against Ireland and the Attorney General alleging the State failed to take action, including legal action, to prevent the nuclear reprocessing plant coming into operation.

Dr Mary Grehan, a local GP and campaigner, also welcomed reports that Thorp may close but said it would not affect the level of radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea. It appeared there were no plans to close facilities at Sellafield which posed a "greater threat" to the health of Irish citizens, she added.