Nuclear Free Ireland Debate Rages

The debate over a nuclear-free Ireland is raging following a recent North-South meeting in Bangor between the NI Assembly's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and John Gormley, Green Party Leader and the Irish Republic's Dáil Environment Minister.

The ministers have teamed up to call all political parties to sign up to a nuclear–free zone for everyone on the Ireland.

Ms Ritchie said: "At present in Northern Ireland we don't have a stated energy policy with regard to nuclear power. We are therefore calling on all parties to sign up to a nuclear free zone for everyone on this island."

Mr Gormley added nuclear power was not the way forward for the island.

However Irish homes and businesses already rely on the electricity produced by the nuclear industry from British sites like Sellafield.

The nuclear electricity is pooled along with power from coal and gas powered stations in addition to hydroelectric schemes and cabled across the sea floor to Ireland through the Moyle Interconnector.

According to NIE it is impossible to tell how much of the electricity originates from nuclear power stations.

But DUP member Sammy Wilson believes it is 'scaremongering' and argues that nuclear power is an important tool in reducing Co2 emissions.

"Renewables are not the answer; wind and waves are intermittent and many of them need fossil fuel back up. They cannot be relied upon to provide for our energy needs," he said.

Mr Wilson also noted that there have been no deaths as a direct result of nuclear accidents for over 20 years, and said there is no solid evidence to suggest that people who live near to a nuclear power plant are at an increased risk.

(GK/JM)