Phil Hogan, Ireland’s environment minister, met with his UK counterpart Chris Huhne over the weekend.

The meeting took place at an Informal Council of European Union Environment ministers held in Budapest.

At the meeting, the minister, while acknowledging the on-going constructive dialogue between the Irish and UK authorities on nuclear safety issues, re-iterated the concerns of the Irish Government in relation to Sellafield, both in relation to discharges into the Irish Sea and the risks associated with an accident at the plant.

Mr Hogan said the Irish Government’s view that Sellafield should be covered by the ‘stress-testing’ arrangements agreed at the European Council last week.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hogan said: “Ireland will be engaging constructively in the rigorous application of the stress test regime and in pressing urgently for any follow up required on foot of its findings.

“Our paramount concern is to ensure that the highest levels of nuclear safety are in place.”

Luke Walsh

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