Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that nuclear energy is not a solution to Ireland's energy needs and its consequences are dangerous in the short, the medium and in long term.
Speaking in the Dáil on the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Mr Ahern said "today is a day of remembrance and reflection for the victims of Chernobyl, both living and dead".
"As a non-nuclear state we have played a very strong role to prevent both the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and developing a legal strategy to force the closure of Sellafield on our own doorstep," the Taoiseach said.
He was answering questions put to him by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Mr Kenny said that Sellafield was a clear and present danger to Ireland adding that its proximity to the country meant it was inescapably close and the fact that Britain is a preferred target for international terrorists made the plant doubly dangerous.
"In a survey conducted for the Government, 7 out of 10 people said they did not believe that we were prepared to cope with a serious national emergency. This complete lack of confidence in the State's response capabilities is worrying and potentially dangerous", Mr Kenny said.
Mr Ahern agreed that Sellafield posed a threat saying that ongoing pollution, poor safety records and the impact of a disaster or terrorist attack could affect all aspects of life in Ireland.
"You're never satisfied on issues like this because you always hope that its not tested and the only way you could stop that is if Sellafield wasn't there," Mr Ahern said.
However, he added that the national emergency plan had been updated as recently as last Christmas.
"Our national plan has been audited and tested and validated in line with best practise," the Taoiseach said.
