Ray Butler (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, we saw the new leader of the Conservative Party in Britain flexing her muscles in 10 Downing Street, with the new runway at Heathrow being given the go-ahead. In addition, four new nuclear plants are planned for Great Britain.Planning permission was granted yesterday for a nuclear reactor plant in the Hinkley area. We all remember Sellafield and the way the Irish people were treated and the way that material was dumped into the Irish Sea. Have the Irish officials spoken to their UK counterparts? We need more information on what is happening here. We need information on the size, location and design of these plants, how secure they will be and the planning times that are envisaged. When will these plants be up and running? There is no point asking questions when the horse has bolted and is halfway down the road. This will impact on the people of Ireland similar to how Sellafield impacted on them when the material dumped contaminated the Irish Sea and nuclear waste destroyed many lives. Will the Leader request the officials to meet their UK counterparts and see what is going on and what is planned?