Kildare TD Urges Government To Examine Nuclear Option As "Cleaner" Alternative To Fossil Fuels

Saturday, 20 September 2025 20:47

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News. Got A Story? Email news@kfmradio.com

Kildare North TD Naoise Ó Cearúil says nuclear, though not fully clean, could be cleaner than fossil fuels and help meet climate targets.

Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD Naoise Ó Cearúil has called on the Government to assess the potential role of small nuclear reactors in Ireland’s energy future, saying that although nuclear power is not completely clean, it is a "cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels" and could help secure supply as electricity demand grows.

He argued that modelling the cost and benefits of small modular reactors - already being developed in the UK, Europe, and North America - could be a step to ensure Ireland meets its 2030 and 2050 climate targets.

Responding, Minister of State Timmy Dooley rejected the suggestion, citing the statutory ban on nuclear power under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Government’s commitment to 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

Deputy Dooley said Ireland’s expertise and investment are firmly in wind, solar, and offshore renewables, and warned that revisiting nuclear could divert focus from proven, home-grown energy solutions.

"My argument here is not that we go full throttle into nuclear energy. All I am asking is that we model out the cost benefits of actually looking at and analysing whether nuclear is even an option and whether it is worth looking at and investigating properly. We need to ensure we have energy security moving forward and look at all options," Deputy Ó Cearúil said.

Responding, Deputy Dooley said the Government’s stance against nuclear power dates back to the 1970s Carnsore Point proposals, when public opposition was so strong the idea was dropped and has not been revisited since.

Deputy Ó Cearúil praised Ireland’s progress in wind and solar energy - citing Kildare’s new Timahoe North Solar Farm - but argued that, like Belgium, France, and the UK expanding nuclear capacity, Ireland consider nuclear as part of its future energy planning.