The British government has authorised the construction of a new generation of nuclear power stations.
Announcing the decision, Britain's Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton, said nuclear power would help ensure future energy supplies and help tackle climate change.
It is anticipated that the first new nuclear power station would be completed within 12 years.
The Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, has said a public debate should take place in Ireland to discuss the various aspects of nuclear power.
Mr Ryan was speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.
Most of the plants in Britain are likely to be built on the sites of existing nuclear facilities. The private sector owners and operators of the plants will be expected to fund the cost of decommissioning and storage of nuclear waste.
The announcements will delight pro-nuclear groups, who have been pressing ministers to make an early decision to replace the current nuclear power stations, most of which will close by 2023.
However, anti-nuclear campaigners, including Greenpeace, will attack the British government, which could face legal action before new sites can be built.
Greenpeace won a High Court ruling last year after complaining that the British government's consultation process was flawed, and the group has not ruled out taking fresh action.
Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper described the decision to encourage the construction of new nuclear stations in the UK as both irrational and unfortunate.
'Climate change is the biggest threat the planet faces. If the government is serious about tackling it we must stop tinkering in the margins, put in place strong policies to support renewable energy. We need a revolution in the way we meet our energy needs.'
