Press Releases
O’Malley: UK nuclear energy announcement shows need for Irish debate
O'Malley: UK nuclear energy announcement shows need for Irish debate
July 11th 2006
Progressive Democrats energy spokesperson, Fiona O'Malley said the need for a full debate in this country on the role of nuclear energy is now stronger than ever.
Commenting on the UK government's announcement of measures to facilitate new nuclear power stations, the Dun Laoghaire T.D. said, "Ireland needs to be responsible. We are facing the same pressures and energy challenge as Britain, but we are even further along the supply pipeline."
"The global energy landscape dictates that each society needs a mix of energy sources. Ireland needs a debate on where we see the position of nuclear energy in that mix. The Progressive Democrats have done research and concluded that for scientific reasons, and given the size of our population and very favourable location to exploit renewables, nuclear generation is not something the country needs to pursue - but the public debate now needs to be broadened."
Fiona O'Malley said "when we produced our energy policy document and the 7-point action plan earlier this year, the Party's position on nuclear was clear, responsible and pragmatic. Our focus is, rightly, on renewables. The public hearings on the role of nuclear before the Oireachtas energy Committee, scheduled for the autumn, are now more crucial than ever. We can see the route the UK intends to go. We currently receive energy from nuclear generation whether we like to admit it or not, and its time we had a full and responsible debate to set out what is good for Ireland as our needs grow and the market changes".
The UK government today announced that a new generation of nuclear power stations there could make a contribution to reducing carbon emissions and reducing British reliance on imported energy.
"It is hypocritical to chastise another country for their nuclear industry while availing of the power it generate. Rather, it is pragmatic to avail of that source and call it what it is - an Irish solution to an Irish problem", the T.D. concluded.