Madam, - Minister Eamon Ryan's reported decision to reject an application for a uranium prospecting license in Donegal - making it a matter of policy for this Government - is surely unreasonable.
We already avail ourselves of nuclear power through our importing of electricity, but also there is the vital daily role daily of nuclear medicine in our health system - in, for example, radionuclide imaging and the treatment of many cancers - and the daily use of ionising radiation in industry.
The Minister's reported decision is surely an example of "headline politics" - playing, in this instance, to the muesli and sandals and tree-huggers' constituency, but also playing with people's lives. It is plain silly and deeply misguided.
Mr Ryan is a fine politician who takes his responsibilities seriously, but on this issue he is surely wrong and ought to reconsider.- Yours, etc,
FEARGUS O RAGHALLAIGH, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.