Radiation survey: a question of confidence

I READ with interest Caroline O’Doherty’s feature piece (August 20) on the award to a British state agency of the contract to survey Louth and Dublin for possible exposure to sea-based anthropogenic radiation.

There are consistent calls from both supporters and opponents of nuclear power for an open, public, rational and informed debate.

The results of the studies arising out of this survey could form an important part of the informed debate.

However, they will be taken with a pinch of salt now by those who choose to do so — no matter how professional Dr Tony Colgan of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) says the British agency is.

The RPII should be providing the public with watertight research that is beyond questioning for the debate.

In my opinion, this contract award will not evoke any public confidence in the project.

James McCarthy

Springfort

Montenotte

Cork