Irish and British councillors are set to meet to discuss the future of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria. Politicians from both sides of the Irish Sea will debate the prospects of closing the plant amid environmental and health-related concerns.
It has been claimed the plant constituted an "environmental time-bomb". The meeting between representatives of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council and their Cumbrian counterparts is planned to take place during the next few months.
"If we are to succeed in our battle to close what is an environmental time-bomb on our doorstep it is important that we properly explain our arguments to our closest neighbour," said Dun Laoghaire councillor Barry Andrews.
"I believe the meeting between councillors from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and their counterparts in Cumbria offers a valuable opportunity for such an exchange."
A spokesman for Fianna Fáil said Irish councillors had sent a letter to representatives in Cumbria in a bid to set a date for the meeting. He said they had not yet decided whether to meet in England or Ireland. "For our part we must listen to the concerns of the people of Cumbria," Mr Andrews said.
"The economic reality is that Sellafield is one of the main sources of employment in the area. "Any realistic discussion about the future of the reprocessing plant must take account of the economic impact closure would have on the local community."
He said that if legal efforts to close the plant were to be successful the Irish must be willing to offer Cumbria their experience in breaking into new industries. "Our experience in attracting IT and other high-tech employment could be invaluable in finding replacements for the nuclear plant," Mr Andrews added.
"Following this meeting I hope that councillors from both local authorities will have a greater understanding of each others position and that we will be able to persuade the people of Cumbria that they can have a sound economic future without Sellafield."
The government of the Irish Republic and politicians in Northern Ireland have been pressing for Sellafield to be closed on environmental and health grounds. Irish worries over the new reprocessing plant were increased by fear that it could be a terrorist attack after the September 11 strikes in the US.