Seamus Kirk TD
Local Fianna Fáil TD Seamus Kirk has called for Ireland to challenge the decision by the European Commission to formally grant State Aid approval to Britain to build a new nuclear power plant in Somerset beside the Irish Sea.
Deputy Kirk said: “Ireland is already at unacceptable risk from the Sellafield power plant and today’s decision by the European Commission is very worrying.
“The European Commission has cleared the way for the British government to give 35 years of financial aid to the nuclear power station planned for Hinckley, only 240km from Ireland.
“Fianna Fáil believes this 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.
“We need to hear a very clear response from the Government on this issue. Did the Taoiseach make any representations with British Prime Minister David Cameron prior to this ruling and what approach will the Government take now to protect Ireland’s interests?”
