A new law to legalise nuclear energy is to come before the Dáil in the coming months.
Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor has introduced a bill to reverse the ban on nuclear energy in Ireland as the Coalition grapples with the ongoing energy crisis.
The Electricity Regulation (Removal of Nuclear Fission Prohibitions) Bill 2026 has been drafted and submitted to the Oireachtas Bills Office, and will be debated by TDs in the Dáil within the next six months.
The bill would see the law changed to authorise the construction or operation of a nuclear electricity generation installation.
"Ireland has been ranked consistently as one of the most expensive energy markets in the world. This has brought enormous energy costs on to households and businesses; damaging our competitiveness and contributing to a growing cost-of-living crisis," said Mr O'Connor.
The Cork East TD claims to have support amongst the higher echelons of the Coalition for his proposal.
"I am glad to have the support of several senior Government colleagues on the need for Ireland to examine this as a realistic solution to decarbonising our economy and drastically reducing energy costs," he said.
Mr O'Connor added how he hoped the Minister for Energy and Climate Darragh O'Brien would be supportive of the bill.
Senior Government figures have in recent weeks signalled an intention to look at nuclear energy - with Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers saying it should be considered to meet Ireland's energy needs.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin too said he would be "open" to nuclear energy, but expressed concerns about the cost and time associated with the power source.
However, any proposal to legalise nuclear energy is likely to face criticism from some in the Opposition benches.
"This is a distraction from what the Government actually needs to be doing, which is putting in the resources to speed up the delivery of offshore wind power.
"Nuclear power would be incredibly expensive to introduce in Ireland and wouldn't deliver cheaper bill for Irish households for at least 15 years," said Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman.
"Offshore wind needs to be the focus of Government’s priorities, not going down a nuclear energy rabbit hole," added the Dublin West TD.
