Madam, - The call by Ictu for a debate on nuclear power (The Irish Times, January 24th) is very timely in the context of global warming and the approach of peak oil.
Indeed, it is already very late to begin such a debate, considering the very long lead time (up to 20 years) for the building of a nuclear power station.
Clearly there is a public aspiration to meet future energy needs from wind, biofuels, etc. However, if we are to achieve that aspiration we need to know as soon as possible how feasible such things are, both technically and economically, and prepare ourselves for any gaps between aspirations and realities. - Yours, etc,
JOHN STAFFORD, Dargle Wood, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.