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30/05/2003
McGrady hits out at 'insulting' Sellafield remarks
South Down MP Eddie McGrady has hit out at "insulting" comments made by UK energy minister, Brian Wilson about health scares regarding Sellafield.
Mr Wilson, critical of constant "scare stories" about the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, recently said he "reaches for the sick bag" every time he hears reports about clusters of Down Syndrome cases in Ireland because of the stations nuclear waste risks.
Mr McGrady described the minister's comments as "insulting".
However, Mr Wilson defended his remarks and said that so-called knowledge of the plant's risk's were contentious.
He added: "What I was saying was, let's have better informed dialogue about Sellafield but leave the emotive stuff out of it, particularly that claim, which doesn't have a leg to stand on."
Meanwhile, former SDLP leader John Hume has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair to express his concern over the findings of the Marine Monitoring Report published this month by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
Mr Hume said the Institute’s report shows that Sellafield continues to be the main source of artificial radioactivity in the Irish Sea.
He added: "The ongoing existence of Sellafield is a great concern to the people of Ireland. Not only is there a proven exposure to radiation caused by discharge of contaminants into the Irish Sea but there are consequential problems such as the impact upon the marketability of seafood caught in waters around our island.
“These problems have been compounded by the increased possibility of terrorist attack on high-profile nuclear installations like Sellafield which would have unimaginable consequences for the people of Ireland and beyond."
Mr Hume said he had called on Mr Blair to give serious consideration to the matter and that it was now time for the Sellafield operation to be shut down permanently.
(MB)
Mr Wilson, critical of constant "scare stories" about the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant, recently said he "reaches for the sick bag" every time he hears reports about clusters of Down Syndrome cases in Ireland because of the stations nuclear waste risks.
Mr McGrady described the minister's comments as "insulting".
However, Mr Wilson defended his remarks and said that so-called knowledge of the plant's risk's were contentious.
He added: "What I was saying was, let's have better informed dialogue about Sellafield but leave the emotive stuff out of it, particularly that claim, which doesn't have a leg to stand on."
Meanwhile, former SDLP leader John Hume has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair to express his concern over the findings of the Marine Monitoring Report published this month by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
Mr Hume said the Institute’s report shows that Sellafield continues to be the main source of artificial radioactivity in the Irish Sea.
He added: "The ongoing existence of Sellafield is a great concern to the people of Ireland. Not only is there a proven exposure to radiation caused by discharge of contaminants into the Irish Sea but there are consequential problems such as the impact upon the marketability of seafood caught in waters around our island.
“These problems have been compounded by the increased possibility of terrorist attack on high-profile nuclear installations like Sellafield which would have unimaginable consequences for the people of Ireland and beyond."
Mr Hume said he had called on Mr Blair to give serious consideration to the matter and that it was now time for the Sellafield operation to be shut down permanently.
(MB)
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The MP for South Down Eddie McGrady is leading a delegation from the East Border Region of Ireland to Sellafield today. Mr McGrady said that the delegation of councillors from Down, Newry & Mourne, Banbridge, Craigavon, Louth and Monaghan were embarking on a two-day fact-finding tour to Sellafield.
Delegation visit Sellafield on fact-finding tour
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05 December 2001
Environment Minister not consulted over Sellafield MOX plant
Environment Minister Sam Foster has revealed he was not consulted before a licence was issued for a controversial mixed oxide plant at Sellafield.
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04 October 2001
Protests over new nuclear plant at Sellafield
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10 July 2008
Sellafield Threat Will Linger Until 2120
The potential threat from the Sellafield nuclear site could last for another 100 years, according to a government report. The British government has suggested the toxic site, which overlooks the Irish Sea, will not be completely safe and clean until 2120.
Sellafield Threat Will Linger Until 2120
The potential threat from the Sellafield nuclear site could last for another 100 years, according to a government report. The British government has suggested the toxic site, which overlooks the Irish Sea, will not be completely safe and clean until 2120.
26 October 2007
MLAs Clash On Nuclear Power
There was sharp division in the Assembly yesterday as the DUP and Sinn Fein took opposing views on the contentious issue of nuclear power. DUP MLA Robin Newton spoke on his party's amendment to a Sinn Fein motion calling on the UK government to end operations at Sellafield, the nuclear power station in Cumbria.
MLAs Clash On Nuclear Power
There was sharp division in the Assembly yesterday as the DUP and Sinn Fein took opposing views on the contentious issue of nuclear power. DUP MLA Robin Newton spoke on his party's amendment to a Sinn Fein motion calling on the UK government to end operations at Sellafield, the nuclear power station in Cumbria.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
