I have consistently encouraged a debate on nuclear power in Ireland as I believe that informed debate is fundamental to ensuring informed policy making.
For my own part, I have stated firmly that I do not see nuclear power as the answer to Ireland's energy needs. Ireland's position on nuclear energy is shared by several EU Member States. Article 194 of the Lisbon Treaty affirms the right of Member States to determine their choice of energy resources.
Ireland's comparative advantage in renewable electricity resources should see such power supplies rather than nuclear developing over the next decade.
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is responsible for developing and maintaining comprehensive national and sectoral statistics for energy production, transformation and end-use.
The latest available statistics on energy consumption and fuel mix relate to 2008; statistics for 2009 will be published later this year. SEI's publication "Energy in Ireland 1990 to 2008", which is available on SEI's website, states that energy imports accounted for 89% of Ireland's energy requirements in 2008. SEI has advised that imported electricity accounted for 0.4% of these energy imports.
Ireland imports electricity from Northern Ireland, which is in turn linked to the UK electricity market via the Moyle Interconnector. While nuclear generation forms a part of the overall UK generation fuel mix, I am advised that it is not technically possible to distinguish the flow of electricity across interconnectors by reference to the original source of supply or generation.