SINN Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane has called on the Irish government to "convey the message" to the British government that the nuclear plant at Sellafield should close.
The South Down MLA said the plant "is a danger and continues to be a threat". Her comments follow a BBC Panorama report which highlighted potential risks at the nuclear fuel reprocessing site in the north of England.
The programme outlined concerns about under-staffing and the risk of a radioactive plume spreading over western Europe.
Ms Ruane said: "The Sellafield nuclear site is a mere 180km from Ireland's coastline and there have long been concerns at associated health risks to those living on Ireland's east coast.
"It needs to close and the Irish Government need to convey that message to the British Government on a regular and routine basis."
