The British Minister with responsibility for Sellafield, Brian Wilson, is dismissing the postcard campaign to close down the plant.
Mr Wilson is describing the campaign as ‘fundamentally misleading’, and says that is ignores the scientific information available.
The response comes on the day when thousands of postcards demanding the closure of Sellafield arrived on Tony Blair’s doorstep.
He says that rather than shut it down it is in the interest of Britain and Ireland that the plant should be run to the highest standards of safety.
He adds that the high level of transparency means that every incident, however minor, is made public knowledge.
Mr Wilson says Ali Hewson has already admitted on television that she cannot force the plant to close.
The statement concludes with the hope that sensible dialogue can now take place.