Let’s try everything but the nuclear option

NUCLEAR power has been mooted in the media quite a bit in recent weeks, with a suggestion that the Taoiseach should go for it as a solution to ever-rising energy costs.

For over 40 years a large section of the Irish population lived in dread because of their very justifiable fears of leakage or sabotage at Sellafield. Imagine the threat to life and our environment if a nuclear power station was built here.

A much wiser decision would be to concentrate instead on our own natural resources.

Let’s investigate the possibility of bringing ashore the deep-sea oil-finds off the Galway coast. This is more feasible now with recent technological advances.

Let’s continue to develop and expand the Kinsale and Corrib gas reserves. Our wind farms have endless possibilities. And then there is the Bog of Allen. Through Bord na Móna this offers massive opportunities for energy production if a solution for fume retention and safeguarding of the environment is achieved. A bio-mass industry for a country like ours should be essential and the by-products would contribute to our energy needs.

Finally, there’s conservation. Admittedly it’s not the easiest option in our Celtic Tiger euphoria, but it should be encouraged in industry and on the road. In the latter case there would be the added advantage of conserving one’s own energy, too, by driving less.

James Gleeson

‘The Grove’

Thurles

Co Tipperary