The Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern yesterday called on the Government to protest against increasing shipments of radioactive nuclear fuel from Sellafield to Japan, which she believes could endanger Irish lives.
She said: "These kinds of shipments are set to escalate in numbers over the next few years. The Irish Government's stance has been far too weak on the issue of Sellafield while the dangers posed by the plant are increasing."
Mr Trevor Sargent TD also criticised the voyage of the nuclear cargo ship, Pacific Teal, which is being tracked by the MV Greenpeace. He said the ship, 16 miles off Tuskar Rock, was "needlessly taunting" the Government.
"If the Irish position is to have any credibility, then at the very least the Government here must injunct any nuclear cargoes from entering Irish waters," he said.
Ms Ahern said in a statement there was an increasing risk that these ships could be hijacked and warned that the combined cargo of two vessels would be enough to build 60 nuclear bombs.
A spokesman at the Department of the Marine said: "Government policy is steadfastly against Sellafield. We don't like the fact that fuel is being transported but we have to live with the reality of it.
"Through negotiations conducted with France and the UK we have made sure that they notify us when radioactive or toxic material is transported so our emergency services are prepared."
Seven environmental activists, including one Irish woman, who tried to disrupt shipments of nuclear fuel from Cumbria on Monday were released yesterday morning without charge.
PA adds: An injunction sought by the British government was issued late on Monday night, banning the MV Greenpeace from entering British waters in the Irish Sea, St George's Channel, Bristol Channel and English Channel. It cited safety concerns and is thought to be the first time the Merchant Shipping Act, 1995, has been used in this way.