The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland said yesterday it had become more difficult to get information on Sellafield from the British authorities since the events of September 11th, 2001.
However, a visit to the nuclear plant in Cumbria is currently under discussion, the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government heard.
The committee also heard that the Department of the Environment would soon make recommendations to the Minister on the siting of a new national storage facility for radioactive waste. This is likely to attract opposition from local people in whatever area is selected.
Criticising the lack of information on Sellafield, Deputy Bernard Allen (FG) said he believed there had been an effective "lockout" of Irish officials from Sellafield.
However, the use of the word "lockout" was rejected by Ms Renee Dempsey, principal officer in the nuclear safety section of the Department of the Environment.
She said a visit to the plant by the Radiological Protection Institute (RPII) was "very much on the table at the moment".
Dr Ann McGarry, RPII's chief executive, said she did not believe it was particularly difficult to organise a visit to the plant. The difficulty was in deciding what should be seen.
She said there had been a clear "tightening of information" on Sellafield since the events of September 11th.
Information that would have been provided before the attacks on the US was now being viewed from a security viewpoint. Such information could now be classified for security reasons, she said.
Mr Allen said the British authorities had given "a two-finger response" to reasonable requests for information on Sellafield. He said the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, ought to be briefed by the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, on Sellafield issues.
Meanwhile, the committee heard it would be "improper" to name the locations under consideration for a new national facility for radioactive waste. The process was still at a "reflective phase", Ms Dempsey said.
It is understood that three or four sites around the State are being considered. Deciding on the location was "going to be a tough nut to crack," she told the committee, but said it was an obligation under a new EU directive.
The directive on sealed radioactive sources, which was introduced before Christmas, must now be transposed into Irish law.
The storage facility would have to be in place within about three years, Ms Dempsey said.
She said she expected to be able to present the first set of recommendations on the facility to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, this spring.
Ms Dempsey refused to be pressed on possible sites but said it would have to be an isolated and remote area, away from urban centres but in an accessible area for monitoring and security purposes.
Finding a location to suit all these needs could pose a "conundrum", she said.
