asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if his Department has formed an opinion on the building of a nuclear power station or of more than one such station; and, if not, if he will urge the Minister for Economic Planning and Development to seek the early advice of the National Board for Science and Technology on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Power.
9.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that the Government, in November, 1973, approved, in principle, a proposal that the Electricity Supply Board should proceed with preparations for the construction of a nuclear power station on the basis, inter alia, that the project would be reassessed before final contractual commitments were entered into.
The proposal was temporarily deferred in October, 1975 because of a fall in demand for electricity but has recently been reactivated, having regard to the upsurge in demand for electricity this year and is at present under consideration in my Department.
I should perhaps add that I have, of course, available to me the advice in this matter of the Nuclear Energy Board which has the statutory function of advising me on nuclear energy and matters connected therewith, including advice on proposals for the construction of nuclear power stations and on all aspects of the installation, operation and supervision of nuclear power stations.
Is not this one of the possibilities which the Minister had in mind when he made a speech a couple of months ago about the difficult and very urgent decisions confronting us in the energy field? He admitted in that connection that the time within which these decisions have to be taken is getting shorter.
That is correct. I certainly said something to that general effect, and the decision in relation to the proposed nuclear power station will be taken by the Government, assuming all the necessary information can be obtained, in about four or six weeks' time.