‘Law on nuclear energy inane’

THE Irish government has been urged to drop its “inane anti-nuclear laws” to both slash energy costs for consumers and help the country reduce its emissions targets.

The production of electricity for supply to the national grid by nuclear fission is prohibited at present in this country.

But amidst warnings of rolling blackouts this winter, influential lobby group 18for0 insists now is the time for the government to relax its tough stance on nuclear power.

The group, comprising professionals in energy and academics, also stressed that the Irish public should no longer feel “scared” by the prospect of going nuclear, arguing that it’s the safest form of generating energy.

Study

Denis Duff, a founder member of 18for0, said: “There is no credible study that shows how clean and affordable energy can be assured without using nuclear energy.

“As Ireland has declared a ‘Climate Emergency’, it makes perfect sense to at least consider whether nuclear energy offers a credible solution where no other exists at present.

“Right now we appear to be turning a climate crisis into an energy crisis, but the solution does not have to be as hard or as expensive as we’re making it.”

Duff (63), a former chartered engineer studying energy options, conceded that if given the green light, the country’s first nuclear stations wouldn’t be running until the mid-2030s.