The Government needs to come clean about whether they received a full security briefing from the British Government, after five men were arrested near Sellafield on Monday, according to Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Ó Cuív. Deputy Ó Cuív believes it is essential the Government is fully informed of all security related threats to British nuclear facilities, given the worldwide security alert following the death of Osama bin Laden and the impact any security breach could have on Ireland.

 

“I raised this issue on this morning’s Order of Business but the Government completed evaded giving any kind of informative response,” said Deputy Ó Cuív. “My concern is that the Irish Government needs to make sure that there are reliable procedures in place for the exchange of any security information relating to threats to the British nuclear facilities.”

 

“Any security breach at these facilities could have massive implications for Ireland so we need to make sure that we are being kept informed of what is being done to protect them and of any problems that could occur. Obviously the information couldn’t be made public but the least the Government could do is assure the Irish people that there are being briefed about any threats by the British Government.”

 

“The five men who were arrested may have since been released but they were originally held under the Terrorism Act for several days. Given the potential seriousness of the situation, combined with the worldwide security clampdown following the death of Osama bin Laden, we need to hear from the Government that they are being kept in the loop.”

 

“I am calling on the Government to categorically state that they have been kept informed by the British Government about this situation and that there are procedures in place that will ensure the Government is fully briefed about any other threats to British nuclear facilities should they arise,” Deputy Ó Cuív concluded.