The Sellafield nuclear plant will need investment for up to 150 years before the site can be decommissioned, according to a report by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).
The RPII's report, which follows its visit to the Cumbria plant in England in September 2004, was published in Dublin today.
The main finding of the report was that although reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield is due to finish in 2012 it may be difficult to achieve.
The raised a number of concerns with regard to plant operation, radioactive discharges and terrorist threats. However, in the area of emergency preparedness, the report highlights recent initiatives that have led to increased co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
RPII chief executive Dr Ann McGarry said: "Our overall impression was that a good start [since the RPII visit in September 2000] had been made, but that the scale of decommissioning works to be undertaken would present very real challenges to both the operators and regulators for many years to come".
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche welcomed the report. He said that even though the site is a "cause of concern for Ireland", recent co-operation between the two Governments meant improved access to the site for Ireland.
