Nuclear expansion - One-sided debate is not helpful

The British government’s decision to press ahead with a vigorous expansion of nuclear power is clearly of more than a passing interest on this side of the Irish Sea.

Considering the straining of relations that occurred with the operation of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing facility in Cumbria, it is no surprise that there would be concerns raised here about plans to build eight nuclear plants in all before 2025.

In its initial phase, two nuclear reactors will be built 240km from the Irish coast. The British government has given approval for the £14bn (€16.5bn) Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset, to be built by the French energy company EDF.