Ireland should build a nuclear power plant

The letter from Dr Edward Hogan in the Irish Examiner (Oct 26), regarding the UK nuclear power plant to be built at Hinkley is based on unfounded pop-science.

The facts Dr Hogan presents are unfounded as levels of radiation in the Irish sea are natural.

Moreover, the UK nuclear industry is subject to the most stringent compliance criteria.

Moreover, nuclear is the safest and cleanest form of power generation. The French have no problem with nuclear energy, given that 85% of their energy is derived from nuclear power.

The UK government is to be congratulated for again adopting the nuclear option, and for less reliance on the more polluting, coal-fired power plant.

Had Ireland gone ahead and built its own, modular nuclear power plant in the 1970s, we would be totally self-sufficient in energy generation and not held hostage to imported oil.

Patrick L O’Brien MSc

Victoria Cross

Cork