The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, has expressed disappointment at the strongest suggestion yet from British Prime Minister Tony Blair that Britain is going to build a second generation of nuclear plants.
Mr Roche said Britain should invest in renewable energy rather than upgrading its 'rust-bucket' nuclear industry and he vowed to fight 'tooth and nail' to ensure no more nuclear facilities were built at Sellafield in Cumbria.
Britain is currently conducting an energy review which is expected to be submitted to the cabinet this summer.
One option being examined is building a new generation of nuclear plants, because the existing facilities are coming to the end of their life and are due to be closed.
Mr Blair said he believes the benefits of nuclear are two-fold, a functioning plant does not emit greenhouse gasses which cause climate change and it reduces reliance on importing oil from the Middle East and gas from Russia.
A decision is not expected until later this year, but last night Mr Blair said the environment and security of supply meant the nuclear option was back with a vengeance.
