Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

However, this non-nuclear status brings with it an onus to provide alternative, secure, reliable and competitive energy supplies for families, workers and industry. This is because energy supply must meet energy demand and failure to meet that demand means unemployment, a flight of capital and profound effects on our economy.

It is not sufficient for politicians to loudly proclaim anti-nuclear credentials but then oppose gas pipelines, pylons and interconnecters, as the Deputy who attempted to interrupt me has done. Being anti-nuclear means advancing genuine non-nuclear alternatives.

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