Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are plans to convert the Moneypoint power plant to a nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans to convert the Moneypoint power plant to a nuclear power station. Nuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland in line with the provisions of section 18 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended. Section 18(1) provides that the Minister shall specify by order the criteria in accordance with which an application for an authorisation to construct or reconstruct a generating station may be determined by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. Section 18(6) provides that an order under this section shall not provide for the use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity.