Radioactive discharges into Irish Sea to be reduced

A new agreement has been signed which will reduce the level of radioactive discharges in the UK, including that going into the Irish Sea.

The deal came about after an agreement was reached between the UK Government, the Devolved Administrations, the OSPAR Commission (which includes the North East Atlantic Countries) and users of radioactive material, particularly the nuclear industry.

The agreement forms a key part of the United Kingdom Radioactive Discharge Strategy 2001-2020 announced in the Commons on Wednesday.

Commenting on progress made Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt said: “I am acutely aware of the public concern in this matter especially at Sellafield. I have positively campaigned for these reductions to be implemented and my Department has contributed to the development of this Strategy.

"This Strategy will result in a direct and positive impact in relation to the environment. For example, targets have been set for reducing spent fuel reprocessing, a key ingredient of the work at Sellafield.

“Further, my officials will continue to monitor closely all users of radioactive material, including Sellafield. At the British-Irish Council meeting in Edinburgh in February, I stressed my concerns and I welcome the publication of the UK Strategy. This matter will be further considered when the British Irish Council meets in Belfast in October."

However, this latest news follows a statement from the Government which revealed a radioactive substance Technetium-99 has been released into the groundwater at Sellafield.

South Down MP, Eddie McGrady has called on the Government to ensure that "all statutory action is imposed upon British Nuclear Fuel Ltd to prevent further discharges" of the substance and to take action in dealing with the already discharged amounts.

(MB)