The Nuclear Plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset has the potential to contaminate Ireland, according to a Sinn Féin MLA.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, said the £18 million plant is "unwanted" and is "another source of deadly danger" to Ireland.

The plant is believed to be set for final approval.

Deputy Crowe said: "Ireland has had a difficult and unwanted relationship with British Nuclear plants like Windscale, renamed Sellafield, over the decades with leaks, contamination scares, and poisonous releases into the atmosphere.

"An increase in birth defects and cancers along the east coast of Ireland has convinced many that there is a direct link to the release of the nuclear waste contaminates into the atmosphere and the Irish Sea and the rise in clusters of these cases.

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"The expected news that the Hinkley Point, Somerset nuclear plant is set for final approval by the British government is unwelcome and adds another danger to people living in Ireland."

He also called on the Irish Government to be "more forceful" in conveying the message to the British Government.

He continued: "Nuclear plants are not wanted near our coastline as they inevitably pose a real and potentially disastrous threat to the health and wellbeing of our citizens, particularly those living in or near the East Coast.

"Methods of producing energy that can cause serious risk to the health and environment of millions of citizens, including nuclear generators and fracking, have little or no support and that needs to be reflected in the actions and policies of any Irish Government.

"The Minister for Foreign Charlie Flanagan needs to forward Irish concerns to the British Government immediately about this Hinkley plant in terms of safety, its location, and the inherent danger it will potentially place all our citizens."

(CD/JP)