87. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider nuclear energy as a method to meet Ireland’s future energy needs; if he will facilitate the development of small modular nuclear reactors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26493/26]

Sentiment score: 0.22

The reality is that we are already using nuclear energy in this country, as the Minister of State knows, because we have to import through the interconnector. The level of that import has grown in the past few years from 10% of our energy in 2023, to 15% in 2024, and to 17% in 2025. Of what we are taking already, a lot of the energy is provided through nuclear energy. I know the Minister of State is a strong supporter of the Celtic interconnector with France, and we know the majority of energy that is produced in France is produced through nuclear energy. I do not believe we are going to see an overnight change. This is not something that is going to happen immediately but to completely rule out a discussion on using this form of energy is wrong. As part of the long-term strategy for the State, it is something we have to consider.

Sentiment score: 0.21

Our transition to renewables is critical. The Minister of State knows that I strongly support all of the investment that we are seeing in wind and solar, and I want it to happen much more quickly. The question is around future capacity, when we are looking to 2040 and beyond, and whether enough will be generated even at that stage by renewables. Given what we have seen with the types of models we are talking about, I specifically asked about small modular nuclear reactors with regard to being able to fuel our future digital infrastructure, for instance, data centres, in the context of this being a digital economy. I believe it is something that needs to be considered. I accept this is not something that is going to happen immediately, but when we are looking at Ireland's future energy needs going to 2040 and 2050, this green technology, which it is, has to be part of the discussion.

Sentiment score: 0.14

We are also renewable.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I am rather concerned. This has been described by EirGrid and others as the biggest infrastructure project this decade, which it is. The timeframe has already slipped, with commissioning meant to happen in 2026 but now happening in 2028. I am kind of concerned that the Minister of State says that he does not know on the floor of the Dáil and that he will have to get EirGrid to let us know. This is a critical piece of infrastructure for the State, as he says. It is important that we know the timeframe as to when it will come on because one of our concerns in terms of energy demand for the State is about having the infrastructure in place. I am concerned, as the Minister knows, that we have been pushing out some of the deadlines with regard to some of our targets on offshore renewables to 2031 or 2032. It is critical that the commitment that was made that it would be in 2028 will actually be delivered, and the House is entitled to hear that.

Sentiment score: 0.05

I am sorry but I have a problem with that. Yes, there is a reason EirGrid, in terms of operational activity, is independent, but EirGrid is responsible to the State. Deputy Dooley is a Minister of State responsible for energy with regard to a critical piece of infrastructure. We should know in this House about progress on this critical piece of infrastructure. I say respectfully that it is not good enough to say that EirGrid will tell us when it will have this critical piece of infrastructure finished. It is not for the benefit of EirGrid; it is for the benefit of every citizen, every business, every home in this State in order that we can have reliability of energy into the future. We should know and we are entitled to know in this House about progress on major infrastructural projects such as this. EirGrid is doing it on behalf of the State. I appreciate that the Minister of State will send me on the answer, but people are entitled to know if it will be finished in 2028, at the postponed date, as was originally committed.

Sentiment score: 0.10