Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on recent comments from the chief executive officer of ESB regarding nuclear power; if he will remove the ban on nuclear power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37121/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have consistently encouraged a debate on nuclear power in Ireland and it is clear that there is a range of views and perspectives on the matter. Informed debate on nuclear energy, as indeed with all dimensions of energy policy, is fundamental to ensuring informed policy making.

The Government maintains, as have successive Governments over many years, that nuclear power is neither sustainable nor the answer to meeting Ireland's energy needs. The use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity in Ireland is statutorily prohibited under Section 18(6) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. Furthermore, Section 3 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 states that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed as enabling the authorisation of development consisting of an installation for the generation of electricity by nuclear fission".