Taoiseach Bertie Ahern sought to bury any public discussion about nuclear power at the weekend when he flatly rejected its introduction as a response to global warming and a growing shortage of fossil fuels.
In doing so, Mr Ahern was maintaining an anti-nuclear position adopted some 30 years ago in very different circumstances. And while public attitudes may not have changed much in the intervening period, Government planning for a secure and long-term energy supply should involve a comprehensive debate.
The nuclear issue is highly contentious. Successive governments have campaigned strenuously - and with due cause - against the accident-prone British reprocessing plant across the Irish Sea at Windscale/Sellafield. In doing so, they have commanded widespread public support. To change policy at this time would add to the popularity of the Green Party which is already gaining ground on environmental issues. But this is not about policy change; it is about facilitating a rational debate on the energy options available in the best interests of society and the economy. The Government intends to publish a White Paper on energy that will rule out the nuclear option in advance of the general election. That exercise should be delayed.
We are more dependent on imported fuels than our European neighbours. And the cost of electricity here is higher. The sector is dominated by the ESB. And competition is limited, in spite of EU requirements. A secure supply of electricity is vital because the State is likely to experience a liquid fuel crisis within 10 years.
The Government has failed, during its 10 years in office, to aggressively promote the use of alternative energy. It opted to buy carbon credits, rather than reduce carbon emissions. It is only now, in the teeth of a general election campaign, that wind and wave power, biomass and biofuels and other energy-saving schemes are being actively promoted.
An electricity interconnector is not due to be built between here and Britain for another five years, even though its absence has prevented the exploitation of alternative energy sources. The ESB offered to build one five years ago, but was turned down by the Government. As a result, a large number of wind farm developers are awaiting connection to the national electricity grid. This amounts to bad planning.
Whatever about the benefits, or otherwise, of nuclear power, a comprehensive debate is needed to give thrust and direction to long-term energy developments. And the public should be fully involved.