Madam, - According to the convoluted thinking of Ciarán Cuffe TD, the leak at Sellafield, and the consequential fine of £500,000 "should be a stark reminder to the UK of the danger of proceeding with a new programme of nuclear power stations" (The Irish Times, October 17th).
But Sellafield is a one-off; it has no bearing on the introduction or expansion of nuclear power anywhere in the world, including Britain. Events at Sellafield certainly won't frighten off France from its nuclear programme, nor will it worry China, India and all the other 20 or so countries that have seen a need to expand their nuclear capabilities.
I can only suppose that Mr Cuffe, like so many of those irrationally opposed to nuclear power, is playing on what he supposes to be the fears of his constituents. As one of these, I can assure him that he doesn't scare me. - Yours etc,
DAVID SOWBY, Dublin 18.