Madam, - A debate has begun in Britain in recent weeks about the desirability of building more nuclear power stations. Its present stock of nuclear reactors is growing old, will soon cease production and will have to be replaced. It has become apparent that, to secure the energy needs of the nation for the future, Britain must rely on more nuclear power.
Nuclear power is also being seen as a remedy for reducing the gas emissions that are supposed to cause global warming. Prime Minister Tony Blair has now said that Britain should give serious consideration to creating a new generation of nuclear power stations.
In view of all this, it is high time that our Government considered this option. In Britain a dozen nuclear stations provide 20 per cent of the country's electricity needs. France obtains 75 per cent of its power from nuclear reactors. Here in Ireland we are completely dependent on other sources.
With the growing scarcity of oil and its rising price we may find ourselves seriously compromised for our energy needs in the not-too-distant future. The case for nuclear energy has not been sufficiently made or, if made, has not been listened to dispassionately. When examined it is a very strong case and must be taken seriously. The case against it is quite weak. In my view we have no very realistic alternative to a nuclear programme. This must be done at once. It takes 10 years to commission a nuclear power station. Time is not on our side. - Yours, etc,
Rev GERARD McGREEVY, Prof Emeritus of Experimental Physics, St Patrick's College, Maynooth.