Serious consideration should be given to nuclear power as an energy source for the Republic, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has told the Government in a submission.
Ictu, which represents the broad trade union movement, said it was "short sighted" for the Government not to allow a debate on the subject. At present it is unlawful to use nuclear fission for any purpose and debate in political circles about the subject has been limited.
The comments are included in a submission made by Congress in response to the recent Government Green Paper on energy. The organisation was given an extra week to prepare its document and it was submitted in recent days to the Department of Communications.
The submission states: "Congress believes that the debate on Irish energy policy should give serious consideration to nuclear energy. The use of nuclear power, it is argued, can bring real benefits including a substantial reduction in emissions."
The organisation cites the International Atomic Energy Agency's view that nuclear power could make a major contribution to reducing dependence on imported gas and curbing carbon dioxide emissions in a cost-effective way. While its submission stops short of outright support for nuclear energy, the views articulated may prove controversial. Chairman of the ESB Tadhg O'Donoghue last year said the subject was at least worth debating, while Forfás, the State body which promotes enterprise, trade and science, said in April the Republic might need to build a new power station.
Ictu said there were arguments in favour and against. "On the other hand, the economics of nuclear power, along with safety and environmental issues, must be fully analysed. Congress believes that the current attitude towards nuclear, not even allowing a debate at official level, is short-sighted."
The submission by the group also calls for a review of the royalties paid by companies exploring for oil and gas off the west coast. Ictu suggests money from higher royalties could be put into a fund to research new forms of renewable energy.
The submission is also strongly opposed to the idea of hiving off or closing ESB power stations, saying this could place the Republic's energy supplies at even more risk. It expresses opposition to the policy of closing ESB plants by 2011.