The operators of the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria began a new work practice today which they claim will reduce radioactive discharges into the Irish Sea by as much as 90%.
A spokesman for the Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, described the BNFL announcement as 'a significant breakthrough'.
The radioactive material, called Technetium 99, is a by-product of the reprocessing operation at Sellafield and, for decades, has been discharged into the Irish Sea.
The plant's operators, British Nuclear Fuels, say the new process will result in 90% of the radioactive material being stored in solid form rather than being discharged.
BNFL has described the process as 'ground breaking' and claimed it illustrates Britain's continued progress in honouring its international commitments.
Given that 30% of the radiation received by the Irish public from Sellafield is due to tech 99, according to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the announcement has been welcomed here.
Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, said it was a step in the right direction, however he said that no discharges of nuclear material should be occurring.
