Influencers' Opinions on Clean Energy Options
Irish Open to Looking at All Options, Including Nuclear Energy?
Being open to looking at all options does not mean agreeing that nuclear should be built in Ireland, as any proposal would need planning and environmental approval, licensing, and so on. However, the nuclear energy bans would need to be lifted, as the State can’t honestly research nuclear while it is against State law here.
The Irish Silent Majority - “Not Anti-Nuclear”?
"It is reasonable to be unsure about whether nuclear energy would be useful to Ireland given that it has not been adequately studied. It would not be reasonable to simply ignore nuclear, in the hope that it's not needed."
🏛️ Political Leaders
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Fianna Fáil - Reportedly not anti-nuclear
An Tánaiste Simon Harris, and Fine Gael - FG acts “regardless of dogma or ideology” and recognizes threats from bad planning
James Lawless, FF Minister Environment, Climate - Open minded
James O’Connor, FF TD - “Nuclear a clean, obvious choice to decrease energy costs”
Billy Kelleher, FF MEP - Has an open mind on clean energy sources
Seán Kelly FG MEP - Supportive of Ireland-France interconnector (nuclear power import)
🔬 Technical & Professional Bodies
Engineers Ireland - “Nuclear can support energy security and reduce fossil fuels”
Irish Academy of Engineering - “Especially small modular reactors” should be considered
ESB - “SMRs could make it appropriate to reconsider nuclear” (p31)
SEAI - “Nuclear is an option, especially SMRs” (p63)
EPA - “Balanced view of nuclear energy for Ireland” (p91)
⚡ Energy Leadership
EirGrid ex-CEO Mark Foley - “Nuclear should now be considered”, especially in context of climate crisis
EirGrid Chairman Brendan Touhy - “Ireland may need to consider nuclear energy”
Eamon Ryan, Energy Minister (2021) - “Nuclear power should be considered”
Alex White, former Energy Minister - “Nuclear must be explored”
Denis Naughten, former Energy Minister - “Nothing to fear”
🎭 Notable Irish Figures
Bono, U2 singer - “Nuclear is the answer” to the climate crisis
The Edge, U2 guitarist - Backs nuclear solution to climate problem
Patrick Collison, Stripe co-founder - “Nuclear transformatively helpful” in averting climate change
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO - Ireland needs nuclear power
📊 Commentators & Academics
David McWilliams, economist - “Nuclear is compelling”
Michael McDowell, Senator - It’s nuclear or gas & No wishful thinking
John Fitzgerald, Professor, CCAC and ex-ESRI - Nuclear an option we should explore
Colm McCarthy, UCD Economist - Author of ‘an Bord Snip’ reports
Cormac Lucey, Sunday Times columnist - Time to think nuclear
👥 Public Opinion
The Workers Party - In favour of nuclear energy
Meath County Council - Motion to consider nuclear passed
Young people - TheJournal.ie poll showing support
Most Irish people - Sampled at Electric Picnic 2024
Northern Irish professionals - Nuclear is worth considering
🤷 No Clear Position
Sinn Féin - No mention of nuclear found in their policies
Social Democrats - No mention of nuclear found in their policies
Independent Alliance - Position unclear
The Irish Anti-Nuclear?
These opinions appear closed to even considering whether nuclear energy could help deliver clean energy faster and in a more environmentally-sustainable way. They appear to be driven more by ideology than by pragmatism.
🏛️ Political Opposition
Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Energy (current stance) - Prefers emergency gas to nuclear and disputes expert engineers’ research on cost and effectiveness
Green Party - Formed after anti-nuclear ‘success’ in 1980 that led to a coal-fired station instead. “Greens stand for a nuclear-free Europe”
Labour Party - Labour TD pushed for the 1999 nuclear ban. Energy policy is very lacking in detail
People Before Profit Party - Against nuclear energy for socialist reasons
Michael McGrath FF EU Commissioner - “It’s not nuclear”; disagrees with Engineers Ireland but produces no evidence to support his view
🌍 Environmental Groups
Friends of the Earth - Still adopt the poor “voodoo economics” & “Ireland must not buy British nuclear” arguments of 1999
Friends of the Irish Environment - Vehemently opposed to nuclear energy development in Ireland and Britain
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