Ireland is firmly opposed to nuclear power, Environment Minister Dick Roche said Tuesday, pledging to "engage proactively" in a British energy review that could result in new nuclear plants being built.
"The government considers that the nuclear industry poses a threat to Ireland and should not be pursued," Roche said in a statement.
"We will use every diplomatic and legal process at our disposal and will continue to represent this view to the UK at every available opportunity."
Roche's comments follow the announcement by British Prime Minister Tony Blair that an energy review will specifically include whether to develop a new generation of nuclear power stations.
Ireland, which has no nuclear power, has been seeking the closure of the Sellafield re-processing plant on England's northwest coast — just across the Irish Sea from Dublin and the heavily populated east coast.
It has also expressed concern about ageing nuclear plants on Britain's west coast.
"Environmental consequences have arisen for Ireland from historic and ongoing discharges to the sea from Sellafield and the potential risk for a serious accident or incident at nuclear plants including Sellafield.
"Any proposals by the UK to develop new nuclear capacity must be addressed in this context," Roche said.
He said Ireland remained firmly opposed to the nuclear industry on the grounds of the many risks it poses to human health, the environment and the economy, as well as risks associated with waste and transport.
Ireland would "engage proactively" in the "national interest and in the interest of the citizens of Ireland" in the British review, Roche said.
