Energy and the nuclear option

Madam, - Derrick Hambleton (February 13th) suggests that the Government should follow Sweden's model and set up a committee to…

Madam, - Derrick Hambleton (February 13th) suggests that the Government should follow Sweden's model and set up a committee to examine energy options in the light of the Irish Government's declared intention to exclude the use of nuclear power. That sounds like a good idea.

The Swedish government plans to "wean itself off oil completely within the next 15 years". Perhaps it would be helpful to point out that Sweden already derives no less than half of its electricity from nuclear power, and most of the remainder from hydro-electric plants. As for the transport sector, much of Sweden's mass transit is electric.

Perhaps the Swedish committee will not have too much work to do. By contrast, any Irish committee will find itself involved in much more challenging deliberations. - Yours, etc,

JOHN STAFFORD, Chesterfield Grove, Dublin 15.