Burning nuclear issue must be debated

One way or another, the decision of the European Commission to back the building of a nuclear power plant in Somerset in southwest England, just 150 miles from the Irish coast, closer than Dublin is to Cork, will rekindle debate on the burning question of whether or not Ireland should go nuclear. Despite Government assurances that the new plant will not pose any danger to this country, opposition to the project is already growing among those who fear it will pave the way for more atomic plants across Europe.

The importance of having informed debate on the possibility of Ireland some day opting for a nuclear plant can’t be overstated. It is vital for the public to tease out the likely impact on such key issues as public health and safety, the economy, and the environment, but most of all it goes to the heart of how we view our children’s future.

Despite the government of the day calling for debate on nuclear power six years ago, Ireland lacks a national energy policy worthy of the name. Besides a 1999 regulation prohibiting electricity production by nuclear fission within the Republic, our policy consists of a reliance on power generation from imported coal and North Sea gas. In addition, electricity from the UK comes through an interconnection link under the Irish Sea. Ironically, that includes an unknown slice of nuclear power.