New British anti-terrorist legislation could be used to conceal information about the transport of nuclear waste to and from Sellafield the Labour Party has warned.
Spokesperson on the environment Mr Eamon Gilmore said: "It is clear that the planned legislation has the potential to provide a huge cover-up on the transport of nuclear materials, including materials transported by ship through the Irish Sea to the Sellafield plant".
Publication of the bill yesterday showed it had a number of draconian measures, such as making it a criminal offence to publish details on the movement of nuclear waste trains.
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Mr Gilmore said the new measures, which are expected to become law by Christmas, "could be used to obstruct the campaign to have the plant closed". He called on the Government to make the strongest possible representations to the British authorities to have the measures dropped.
The proposed legislation has already caused considerable controversy in Britain. Many civil liberties groups claim the bill is a cover by the British government to smuggle into law new police powers that have little to do with the war against terrorism.
Critics say the bill goes far beyond the terrorist threats posed by September 11th attack on the US.
The legislation also allows for suspected terrorists to be interned for up to six months. They will also be excluded from hearing evidence from intelligence services that led to their detention as they and their lawyers will be excluded from parts of their hearings held in camera.
The will be represented instead by an advocate appointed by the attorney general.
