The use of nuclear energy was firmly ruled out by Minister for Natural Resources Noel Dempsey.
He said a package worth €205 million had been set aside to provide for an excise relief programme for biofuels.
"I share the sentiments expressed by deputies that nuclear energy is not an option for this country. It has been the policy of successive governments to oppose the use of nuclear energy. It remains the policy of the Government, as was recently reiterated by the Taoiseach."
Furthermore, said Mr Dempsey, given that a section of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 specifically precluded the use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity in the Republic, only the Oireachtas had the power to change the situation.
Speaking during the resumed debate on the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, Mr Dempsey said those who were most vociferous in their opposition to nuclear energy generally spoke in terms of its possible environmental impact if something went wrong.
But there were other reasons for it not being an option in Ireland, he added. "Nuclear energy is poor in economic terms compared with fossil fuel options such as natural gas. This has become clear as understanding increases of the costs involved in the long-term storage of nuclear waste products and the cost of decommissioning nuclear power stations."
Jimmy Deenihan (FG, Kerry North) said he welcomed the Bill's main provisions of expanding the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation and underpinning its work on an all-Ireland energy market.
He also welcomed provisions for the creation of an open gas market and to allow emergency measures to be taken by ministerial order in the event of a sudden crisis in the energy market.
Solar energy was not considered to the extent it should be in the Republic, said Mr Deenihan. "My home town football club in Kerry decided to install solar panels to heat the water in the dressing room and they work very well. I am encouraged that a number of other clubs in Kerry have contacted me to find out how they work and how effective they are."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent claimed people had engaged in an "orgy of energy use".
"We have taken it for granted. That is the problem that politics must face."
