Dublin South West and Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has described the pending news that the Hinkley Point Somerset nuclear plant is set for final approval as unwelcome, unwanted and adding another potential danger off our coastline.
Crowe said that the £18 billion nuclear plant if approved would join Sellafield as another source of deadly danger and potential contamination off our coastline.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Ireland has had a difficult and unwanted relationship with British Nuclear plants like Windscale, renamed Sellafield, over the decades with leaks, contamination scares and poisonous releases over the years.

“An increase in birth defects and cancers along the east coast of Ireland has convinced many people that there is a direct link to the release of the nuclear waste contamination into the atmosphere and the Irish Sea and the rise in these cases.

“The expected news that the Hinkley Point, Somerset nuclear plant is set for final approval by the British government is unwelcome and adds another danger to the people of Ireland.

“The majority of Irish people oppose nuclear power and the potential of having one at Carnsore Point in Wexford was firmly rejected many years ago.

“Only a fool would want these ‘doomsday’ plants with their inherent danger in Ireland or off our coastline.

“The Irish Government needs to be more forceful in conveying that message to British Government during their review.

“Nuclear plants are not wanted near our coastline as they inevitably pose a real and potentially disastrous threat to the health and wellbeing of our citizens and particularly those living on or near the East Coast.

“Methods of producing energy that can cause serious risk to the health and environment of millions of citizens, including nuclear generators and fracking, have little or no support and that needs to be reflected in the actions and policies of any Irish Government.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan needs to forward immediately Irish concerns to the British Government about this Hinkley plant in terms of safety, location and the inherent danger it will directly place on our citizens. ”