Call For Ireland To Challenge EC's Decision On Nuclear Power Plant

Fianna Fáil is calling for Ireland to challenge the European Commission's decision to formally grant State Aid approval to Britian to build a new nuclear power plant in Somerset beside the Irish sea.

Fianna Fáil Dublin City Councillor Jim O'Callaghan said: "The Irish government should make every attempt to stop the construction of this nuclear power station which in time will become as big a threat to Ireland as Sellafield has been over the past 40 years.


"The decision by the European Commission is a major distortion of competition rules and will result in huge State financial support going to the nuclear industry. Ireland can move to challenge this decision by bringing a case to the European Court of first instance challenging the decision of the European Commission to permit such State Aid.

"Since planning permission has already been granted for this nuclear power station, a challenge to the European Court on the grounds of State Aid is the only viable means of trying to block this nuclear plant that will threaten Ireland's future."

(CD/JP)