Nuclear energy campaign group launches

A group of scientists, businessmen and academics have set up the Republic's first campaign group in favour of nuclear energy.

The group, called Better Environment with Nuclear Energy (BENE) aims to persuade Government, policy makers, industry and the public of the benefits of nuclear power.

The group, which is expected to go public later today, believes there are risks associated with nuclear power but claim they are "manageable and acceptable". On the other hand, the group says, the risks associated with global warming are not manageable or acceptable.

With the Government set to publish a green paper on energy policy shortly, different groups are offering contrasting solutions. Until now the most high-profile campaigns have been in favour of renewable energies such as wind. But BENE is hopeful it can mobilise some public opinion in favour of nuclear.

The group wants the Government to open the way for a nuclear power station, although this is presently outlawed under legislation. A section of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 specifically precludes the use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity in the Republic and only the Oireachtas has the power to change this.

The group said recent comments by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that the Republic was too small for nuclear power were mistaken. It claims nuclear power stations can be as small as 650 megawatts in size.

"The nuclear debate in Ireland has been more emotional than rational," the group said.

It added that Ireland was already importing nuclear power from Britain via electricity interconnectors with the UK. The group said its members were representing "only themselves" and the group was not funded by any company or organisation associated with the nuclear industry.

Among the members of the group are David Sowby, a doctor and fellow of the Society For Radiological Protection in the UK. He was a former scientific secretary to the International Commission on Radiological Protection between 1962 and 1985.

Another member is Philip W Walton, who worked at NUI Galway as Professor of Applied Physics from 1978, where he remained for 27 years. He is currently retired.

Other members are John Stafford, an accountant, business adviser and consultant and Frank J Turvey, a former assistant chief executive of the Irish Radiological Protection Institute. Another member is Jim Morrissey, who has 15 years' experience in a nuclear research centre.