Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The subplot of this argument is the energy crisis in Britain, including security supply issues, Ukrainian gas and so on. The British are approaching this issue from a totally different perspective than we are. I agree that all parties in the House are ad idem in our opposition to nuclear power on our doorstep.

However, other arguments are being put forward by elements in the media, engineers and others. I do not agree with these arguments but we must confront them through a decisive debate. One of the arguments coming into play relates to carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of nuclear power versus traditional power sources. We must refute utterly in a sensible and logical way all the arguments in this regard. The first action we should take, whether in this Dáil or the next, is to arrange a round table debate at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government to facilitate a comprehensive discussion of all these issues.

My greatest fear is the prospect of a terrorist incident at Sellafield. Will the Minister bring to the attention of the IAEA our deep concerns in this regard and ask for its assistance? As an independent nation, we cannot obtain the information we seek from the United Kingdom. I understand the security issues in this regard. Does the Minister agree there is a role for the IAEA as an international policing force and as guarantor of our rights in this area?

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