Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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562. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources noting the New Scientist report in January 2015 on the dangers arising from 60 years of nuclear waste at Sellafield, the risks of explosions, serious pollution and risks to public health in Britain and Ireland; if he accepts that his proposed consideration of a nuclear power contribution to Irish energy is at best misguided and if he will instead provide the leadership necessary to utilise the expertise of the engineers in the Electricity Supply Board and elsewhere as may be necessary to prioritise the development of wave energy conversion, offshore wind, a renewable energy suitable grid and interconnectors to provide Ireland's energy needs, export renewable energy and provide jobs. [10558/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The May 2014 Green Paper on Energy Policy covers a broad range of energy issues, including an exploration of all possible fuel options, for securing a balanced, sustainable and secure energy mix. It would not be appropriate to exclude any fuel option from such a broad policy consultation and engagement process.

It is important to note that the use of nuclear fission for the generation of nuclear power is statutorily prohibited by (i) the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006 which prohibits the authorisation of development consisting of an installation for the generation of electricity by nuclear fission, and (ii) the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, which makes similar prohibitive provision in respect of regulatory authorisations. There are no plans to bring forward any proposals to amend the existing statutory provisions.

The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, to be achieved through 40% renewables in electricity, 12% in heat and 10% in transport. To date onshore wind energy has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target.

Irish energy policy also recognises the potential to diversify our renewable electricity generation portfolio in the period to 2020 and beyond. To that end, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan, published in February last year, identifies the sustainable economic opportunity for Ireland of realising the potential of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources. Furthermore the Draft Bioenergy Plan published in October 2014, acknowledges the role that the bioenergy sector can play in the transition to a low carbon economy.

Enhanced energy connectivity has the potential to help energy consumers benefit from a fully integrated European Internal Energy Market, as well as increasing the contribution that renewable energy can make to meeting our energy requirements. In this regard, I welcome the European Commission’s Energy Union package adopted on 25 February, which included the Communication on achieving greater electricity interconnection of all Member States. The completion of the North South Transmission Line project and additional possible interconnections with both the UK and France would enhance our electricity interconnectivity and bring significant benefits in terms of energy security, competitiveness and sustainability.