RONAN FOX,
... Sir, - For once I find myself almost agreeing with something Kevin Myers has written (April 23rd). He is correct that Sellafield cannot be closed overnight and forgotten. However, there my agreement ends.
While BNFL cannot just turn the key and walk away, there is no reason that a process of closing down could be started immediately. No more reprocessing would be a start. No more transports in the Irish Sea another positive step. Immediate decommissioning of all plant except that which will be needed for the above ground; independently monitored storage of all radioactive material currently on site another good move.
As an avowed "anti-Sellafielder" I don't "wish it away"; I wish away those who would continue to expand and develop an unprofitable, potentially catastrophic and unnecessary industry.
By the way, is it not innate to the "hive-mind" to defend the whole against a threat. - Yours, etc.,
RONAN FOX, The Pines, Killester, Dublin 5.