Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having listened to the two Government speakers so far, I could easily be persuaded to give way so that we could hear from the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I think everybody would want me to sit down if the Minister of State wished to get to her feet. What it brings out is the complexity of these issues. Those of us from rural Ireland are very concerned that as we go forward to take the measures we must take to mitigate the effects of climate change, not just in our own country but particularly with the poorest people in the world in mind, we must cover our flank as well and look to our energy and economic security. The worry a lot of people might have is that the measures we are offered that will improve things might not make up the shortfall. We need a discussion about nuclear power in that context so that we can make progress and do our duty to this generation and the next regarding climate change.

I may appear to contradict myself over the next couple of minutes. That may not come as a surprise to some people but-----