THE Fianna Fail environment spokesman, Mr Noel Dempsey, has accused the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Emmet Stagg, of "backpedalling" over legal action to force the closure of Sellafield.

However, a spokesman for Mr Stagg said he had been misquoted in a newspaper report on Government moves against the nuclear plant.

Mr Stagg has been reported as saying that the Attorney General, Mr Dermot Gleeson, was planning a legal challenge to close down Sellafield.

However, the Minister of State's spokesman said last night Mr Stagg had never used the word "planning" and had in fact stated that Mr Gleeson was examining the possibility of a case in the light of new circumstances.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office said there were no plans for legal action and the matter was still under consideration.

The Fianna Fail spokesman said the party had been "delighted" by the Minister of State's announcement of legal action, although party members were surprised that Mr Stagg's senior colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, did not know about it.

It now appears Mr Stagg is backpedalling. We want the situation to be clarified immediately," added Mr Dempsey.

"It appears from the latest evidence that has emerged that there could be a sustainable legal case against Sellafield," Mr Dempsey said.