ICTU calls for debate on nuclear power
Trade unions representing hundreds of thousands of Irish workers today urged a national debate on nuclear power.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions ICTU insisted the controversial technology was a serious option for future energy needs as the world responds to climate change and population growth.
ICTU general secretary David Begg said dramatic changes were needed in either the way we live our lives or how we generate power.
"Over the next 20 years our population is forecast to grow to 5.5 million," he said. "That has huge implications for energy supply."
"In that context we should not foreclose, or rule out one serious possible option, namely, nuclear power, especially given our high dependency on fossil fuels."
Congress - which represents 56 unions and 770,000 workers throughout the island of Ireland - has drawn up a briefing paper on sustainable energy.
At its launch in Dublin, Mr Begg said a grown up national debate was needed on the development of nuclear power in Ireland.
"Either we discover wholly new sources of energy, dramatically change our lifestyles and how we manage the economy, or we consider nuclear," he said.
"We cannot sleepwalk into the future."
Mr Begg criticised the Government's absence of 'joined-up thinking' in housing, transport and economic development policies.
The breaking up of the ESB would very likely make energy more expensive for consumers, he said.
