28th August 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY SLAMS GOVERNMENT INACTION OVER NUCLEAR WASTE SHIPMENTS.

The Green Party has called on the government to take rapid action to prevent a shipment of MOX (plutonium mixed oxide) fuel being transported back through the Irish Sea early next month.

The shipment, delivered to Japan in 1999 from British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL), was rejected when crucial safety data was found to be falsified by the company which operates the controversial Sellafield power plant.

"The Irish people should not be expected to put up with the government's inertia over this matter. If the Japanese, BNFL's most important customer, will not accept the safety risk posed by this matter, then our government, which has no vested interest, should be equally adamant" stated Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party.  "Even the British Health and Safety Executive admitted as far back as February of 2000 that Sellafield lacks a high quality safety management system. Are we to wait for a second Chernobyl before Minister Cullen accepts this clear and present danger?"

Deputy Cuffe also welcomed the forthcoming launch of a Nuclear Flotilla, which is to be deployed on Sunday September 1st from Poolbeg Yacht Club.  "Lacking our government's support, this peaceful citizen's protest will be the only group to take affirmative action, for which the Green Party has given its 100 per cent backing".

"Recent reports on transport difficulties facing our defence forces in the face of a terrorist have also highlighted how vulnerable we are with such an operation in such close proximity to our shores.  Are we to be afforded no protection other than some paltry iodine tablets?"

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe T.D.         618 3082 or 087 265 2075

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer 618 4088 or 087 235 7551