Irish Sellafield closure request denied

The Irish Government has failed in its bid have nuclear processing power plant, Sellafield closed down.

Hearing the case brought by the Irish Government under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Arbitral Tribunal rejected the Irish request to bring in "provisional measures that would have had a significant impact on operations at the Sellafield nuclear site".

Commenting on the news, UK Energy Minister Stephen Timms welcomed the decision and called for a more constructive engagement on Sellafield.

He said: "Ireland's requests for provisional measures went far beyond protection of any rights Ireland may have in respect of this case and the Tribunal has rightly rejected them.

"Even on Ireland's own evidence, there is no scientific basis to the accusations Ireland has made about pollution and no justification for taking such extraordinary legal action.

"We want to work constructively with Ireland on Sellafield. If there have been failures or misunderstandings in the past, let us correct them. We share the objectives of ensuring that facilities at Sellafield are managed safely, effectively and with due regard for the environment."

Irish ministers, including SDLP South Down MP Eddie McGrady, are continued to express concerns over claims that radioactive discharge from the Cumbrian plant is polluting the Irish Sea.

Today's announcement followed three week's of hearings before the five-member tribunal.

(MB)