Paul Melia reports that nuclear power needs to be looked at as part of a debate about Ireland future energy needs, Minister Alex White has said. The Energy Minister believes that the nuclear option must be explored as one way of reducing our reliance on imported oil and gas. He said that if you are having a serious debate about energy, you cannot exclude nuclear. His comments are likely to prove controversial. Substantial health fears still surround nuclear power and its use for the generation of electricity is illegal in Ireland. You can see the historic concerns and understand them, and I would have shared them, but you have to look at the other side of the table. We have a dependence on damaging carbon-based energy sources which are effectively destroying the planet. You cannot preside over a full debate by excluding anything, he said.
Ireland is currently working on a long-term energy strategy which will set out the role for conventional power generation from oil and gas, renewables including wind and energy, along with nuclear and other energy sources. He also said that politicians and official Ireland have not performed well in the midst of a crisis about our future energy needs. He admitted that many people living in the shadow of pylons and wind turbines feel they are victims of a policy which was not of their making, and there is a need to work more closely with local communities. Mr White said that the potential use of nuclear power comes after a Green Paper on Energy last May noted that it would be technically possible to construct a small nuclear reactor to replace the coal-burning Moneypoint plant in Co Clare, which is expected to close in 2025.
Original working URL: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/we-cannot-rule-out-use-of-nuclear-power-minister-30872861.html
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