Concerns over possible nuclear waste dump across the Border
CONCERNS over the possible location of a nuclear waste dump in the Mourne and Slieve Gullion mountains was expressed by councillors at the Municipal District of Dundalk meeting last week.
Cllr Mark Dearey noted that the Mourne area had been identified by the UK authorities as being suitable for the long term depositary of nuclear waste due to its granite mountains. It was one of a number of sites identified as being geologically suitable for the underground storage of nuclear waste.
‘ The local authority would have to agree to be a host,’ he said. He felt that ‘ the prospect of any local authority agency agreeing to be host is so close to zero’ so that it was case for vigilance but not alarm.’
Newry and Mourne Council had passed a proposal that they would not host a nuclear dump and were calling on all ten local authorities in Northern Ireland to do the same.
However, he pointed out that the Northern Ireland Assembly had ‘ taken a lenient view’ on the issue and that needed to be reviewed.
‘It’s another reason why the Assembly needs to get back in business.’