Increase in nuclear power will harm Ireland

ALTHOUGH the British Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has said the Wylfa nuclear power station, located just 60 miles from Ireland, will not have its operating life extended beyond 2010, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s plan to put nuclear power back on the agenda may give rise to a new generation of stations on the other side of the Irish Sea.

An increase in British reliance on nuclear power will have nothing but harmful effects on Ireland.

Nuclear power is not the way forward and Mr Blair should not have preempted his government’s own energy review on this vital issue.

Putting in place a new generation of these stations will inevitably lead to a rise in nuclear waste. Much of it will be reprocessed at Sellafield, which has already received warnings from the EU after covering up leaks.

It must be shut as soon as possible.

I am also concerned that many of the new stations may be located on Britain’s west coast, close to Ireland.

Our Government, and politicians on all sides, must intervene to make it clear that an increase in British nuclear stations will be hazardous to Ireland.

Renewable sources, particularly those of wind, wave and tidal energy, hould be utilised to meet Britain’s energy needs.

If that does not happen, there is always the possibility of taking legal action against the British government.

Cllr Tim Lombard

Granig

Minane Bridge

Co Cork.