Nuclear energy is not the way forward, says Ryan

ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has expressed confidence that any debate on Ireland's future energy supplies would show that nuclear energy was not the way forward.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was speaking on the topic of 'Providing Our Energy' at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, last night.

Among the other speakers was Dr Ed Walsh, University of Limerick founding president and proponent of nuclear energy. He claimed spiralling energy costs, loss of competitiveness, combined with global warming concerns, were changing attitudes to nuclear energy. "In time, we will look back and see the nuclear energy ban as ludicrous," he said.

The minister also insisted that Ireland had more potential in developing its renewables such as wind, wave and biomass.

Anita Guidera
Irish Independent