A call for ministerial action to exert maximum pressure on the British government to reverse its decision to expand nuclear processing at Sellafield was made by Mr Liam Fitzgerald (FF) in the Seanad yesterday.
He believed the House would agree, in view of what had happened in the US recently, that the planned expansion constituted a potential act of treachery against a friendly neighbour.
Dr Maurice Manning, Fine Gael leader in the House, said members had been repeatedly assured over the last number of years by Minister of State for Energy, Mr Joe Jacob, that he was dealing with the issue and that the British were listening to what he was saying. Mr Jacob had also given assurances that the special relationship between the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach would ensure this kind of development would not take place. "Yesterday, we saw, in one short arrogant statement, the British minister Margaret Beckett dismiss all of the Irish claims and fears. This was a matter of minor provincial interest as far as she was concerned and all Irish considerations simply did not matter," added Mr Manning who called for an emergency debate.
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) accused the British Government of displaying an extraordinary, contemptuous attitude towards this country.
Mr Shane Ross (Ind) urged that the British ambassador be asked to come to the House to answer questions on the Sellafield controversy and to defend the position of his government, "which is, after all, meant to be a friendly nation."
Describing the British decision as astonishing, Mr David Norris (Ind) said the UN Secretary General had warned about the exposure to an increased risk of terrorism through the use of nuclear weapons.
Mr Fergus O'Dowd (FG) said the Irish Government should bring to the attention of the British ambassador the commitment that had been given by Mr Blair, during the last British general election campaign, that he would not expand the nuclear industry.
The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said Fianna Fβil would forego its private members' time allocation next Wednesday to permit a full debate on the issue.
The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, rejected a claim by Mr Ross that the person appointed to be Pensions Ombudsman might be rendered unable to perform his or her duty. During a debate on the Pensions Amendment Bill, Mr Ross said he dreaded that the appointee might be caught up by the secrecy and the lack of transparency in that industry.