asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any consideration has been given to a joint nuclear energy project with the appropriate authorities in Stormont; and whether he will explore this possibility.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Energy Project.
2.
Yes. The report of the Joint Committee on Co-operation in Electricity Supply which reported to myself and the Northern Ireland Minister for Commerce in March, 1966, recommended inter-connection of the two electricity systems and observed in their report that the total demand for electricity on the inter-connected system would be substantially greater than the demand on either separate system and, since there are considerable economies of scale in nuclear power plants, inter-connection could advance the date when a permissible nuclear installation would be economical in Ireland.
The Minister for Commerce and I, on behalf of our Governments, formally agreed to the inter-connection of the two electricity supply systems in October last and the Electricity Supply Board for Northern Ireland and the Electricity Supply Board here are now drawing up detailed plans for the implementation of this decision.
The desirability of acquiring a nuclear power plant is under continuing study by the ESB and, if it appears that there would be advantages in acquiring such plant, I will explore the possibilities of a joint project with the Minister of Commerce.