Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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298. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 19 October 2021, if he will oppose attempts to classify nuclear energy as an environmentally sustainable economic activity at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53267/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As referred to in my reply to PQ No 368 on 19th October 2021 it is for the European Commission, under the provisions of the regulation on the EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities, to propose for adoption a complementary climate delegated act on activities not covered in the first delegated act, which itself is not yet adopted. This complementary act is expected to determine whether nuclear power will be classified as an environmentally sustainable economic activity under the Taxonomy.

To date, the Commission has not consulted Member States on a draft for the complementary delegated act.

I am aware of opposition to nuclear energy’s inclusion as being environmentally sustainable, as well as the clear support from others who deem it sustainable and rely on its use daily to meet their energy needs and climate goals.

Nonetheless, as stated previously, regardless of whether or not agreement is reached to define nuclear energy as an environmentally sustainable economic activity in the context of the taxonomy, nuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland and the Government has no plans to revisit the prohibition on nuclear powered electricity generation in Ireland.