Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions that release energy to generate heat, which most frequently is then used in steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power station. Since plans for a nuclear power plant at Carnsore Point in County Wexford were dropped in the 1970s, nuclear power in Ireland has been off the agenda. Ireland gets about 60% of its energy from gas, 15% from renewable and the remainder from coal and peat. Proponents argue that nuclear energy is now safe and emits much less carbon emissions than coal plants. Opponents argue that recent nuclear disasters in Japan prove that nuclear power is far from safe.
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@9F2CKNY1yr1Y
Yes, Nuclear power reactors do not produce direct carbon dioxide emissions so it helps the environment, nuclear power would help deliver energy at more affordable prices and Ireland is safe when it come to earthquakes, hurricanes , tsunamis, natural disasters that can create disasters.
Not in Ireland, but support France's use. I don't think it's suitable for Ireland, given the size of the country and proximity to the gulf stream.
@8Z2BNQ83yrs3Y
Yes, but it has to be a very well thought out system with essentially no risk to public safety. No cost can be spared on public safety. Small scale modular reactors may offer this opportunity.
@8ZP8PFFSocial Democrats3yrs3Y
Yes, and more funding should be invested into new reactor designs that can extract more energy out of new nuclear pellets and reuse spent nuclear pellets.
@9ZFDQ8J 2mos2MO
Yes, although investment in renewables is now a better option. We should have invested in Nuclear 20 years ago to allow a better transition to carbon free alternatives.
@8RLNYM84yrs4Y
Yes, nationalise the industry, and invest in research to make sure we find a cleaner or even a more efficient way. And fast if possible.
@9K46XLQ10mos10MO
i support the research but the inefficiencies and waste nuclear products that are produced force me to side against current energy.
If nuclear fusion is discovered to be viable to use for electricity absolutely but we must explore other alternatives first.
@98KLMCQ2yrs2Y
Yes so I can make it malfunction and blow up
@9NP9VZC7mos7MO
New tech with micro generators
The tech has evolved so much. It's now safe and requires less investment than wind and solar.
@8RX8MDG4yrs4Y
Not worth the cost for a small country
@8R3BWG24yrs4Y
I mean if a Chernobyl happens in Ireland we’re screwed
@9ZWN6YY4wks4W
Yes, but Ireland doesn´t even have bachelors and masters in Nuclear energy in the first place, we woulnd´t see the first nuclear plant before at least 50 years.
@9ZWFB364wks4W
I think we can do both nuclear and more renewable alternatives. I believe that we don't really need nuclear as we are a small enough country with access to many renewable energies. As such, currently I think we need to put a lot of effort into the renewables for now, and perhaps once fusion is well established, we could make use of that. For now though, we should be setting a better example to the world
@9ZNQXDB1mo1MO
No, it is not a cost-effective means to produce energy if there is no existing nuclear infrastructure
@9ZJR6LT2mos2MO
Yes, I support the use of energy produced by nuclear, but dont support the introduction of nuclear plants in Ireland
@9ZHZC4SSocial Democrats2mos2MO
Yes. Nuclear energy is incredibly clean and efficient and can produce unbelievable amounts of energy when handled correctly and with respect.
@9ZHM2TMSocial Democrats2mos2MO
Yes, provided that there would be a clear strategy and safety protocol displayed to the public on how this will be performed and how it can benefit
@9N27VPW7mos7MO
As long as its done in the best way possible with all the safety procedures and it supplies energy for vast areas
@9NFG7H27mos7MO
Yes, but I don't think Ireland spending money to invest in it is the right course. We should invest in green technologies and use french nuclear to manage base load.
@8TN5LKB3yrs3Y
Only under intense regulation and management. But as an interim energy source while implementing renewables.
@8XTJ34C3yrs3Y
Yes, but we do not need a powerplant in our country, it's a waste of resources
@93RH8NG2yrs2Y
Yes. It's less dangerous than coal, oil or gas. It may be too difficult at our scale, but as a European venture, any increase in non-renewable energy should be nuclear.
Yes as long as the plant is no where ear where I live.
@8RRCGFK4yrs4Y
Yes, it is the cleanest for of energy
@8PNL63Y4yrs4Y
I support importing nuclear energy from France, but Ireland is too small and doesn't have the expertise to efficiently provide its own nuclear energy.
@9C5MSX7Independent2yrs2Y
It can be both good and bad
@99V72GY2yrs2Y
The reason I can afford is the increase of geothermal and delivery the right people new Zealand and Australian Japan Pacific with water waste teams of councils
@98LNY9C2yrs2Y
Yes until we find greener options
@98DWMMM2yrs2Y
Yes, in the safest ways possible.
@98D54YL2yrs2Y
Yes, as long as its done as safe as possible and waste is disposed of correctly
@96QHBLJ2yrs2Y
I am neutral on the matter.
Maritime based wind power should be used directly to generate hydrogen, which is stored adjacent to land-based power stations and burned as required.
@8YL8M543yrs3Y
I would say yes if it was thorium based. Much safer
@8YKZJ343yrs3Y
It’s too expensive and the waste is dangerous
@8WTS8PC3yrs3Y
We should look for new ways to make less waste from it
@8T5WN7F4yrs4Y
i dont know enough about this
@8SFBSYG4yrs4Y
Only if there is no other option
Maybe- depending on safety
@8DQ9ZDZ4yrs4Y
yes, however its cheaper and quicker to invest and nationalize other alternatives eg wind and solar
Yes , however I think the government should look into thorium as opposed to uranium and molten salt reactors
@9BFBC5T2yrs2Y
I don’t have an informed opinion.
@99RBNJT2yrs2Y
This is a difficult question. Nuclear power has positives and negatives.
@98R7BS42yrs2Y
Yes, but it is not necessarily economical for Ireland itself.
@97TK3872yrs2Y
When nuclear fission becomes possible and safe then yes, but the danger of the spent fuel rods is far too high, and we should invest in more renewable forms of energy.
@96CRGWH2yrs2Y
as a last option prefer that we try to invest more in renewables
@8Z2BW5SSocial Democrats3yrs3Y
Yes but make sure it isn’t used for dangerous purposes
@8YYYXXKIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in the instance where costs are considerably cheaper that cleaner renewable sources.
@8XFLST73yrs3Y
No but we need to nationalise the industry
Yes, as long as appropriate safety mechanisms are in place to prevent disasters
@8J2LNT24yrs4Y
We need a clean air act which would allow more funding into leaner renewable alternatives with subsidies
@9YMGTJ32mos2MO
My current understanding is it's safe with a slight risk. But you would be better off without electric in your home.
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@8XR8DQ23yrs3Y
Yes. Nuclear energy isn't like what it's portayed as. Its infinitely safer than goal and gas energy.
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