Irish lawmakers are set to debate legislation that would overturn the country’s 27-year prohibition on nuclear energy.
That comes as senior government figures including Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin signal openness to examining the technology amid rising energy costs and security concerns.
Fianna Fáil party TD (MP) James O’Connor has introduced the Electricity Regulation (Removal of Nuclear Fission Prohibitions) Bill 2026, which seeks to repeal the ban contained in Section 18(6) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and a similar provision in the Planning and Development Act 2024.
The bill is expected to be debated in the Dáil Éireann (lower parliament) within the coming months.
Speaking at a European summit in Yerevan on May 4, Martin said Ireland should “examine seriously” nuclear power as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, while stressing that renewables would remain central to the energy mix.
He has since reiterated in the Dáil that the country should explore advances in technology, including small modular reactors and work out costs and timelines.
Ireland’s ban on nuclear fission for electricity generation dates back to 1999.
It was enacted during a period of strong anti-nuclear sentiment influenced by the Chernobyl disaster and domestic environmental concerns.
The prohibition applies to both construction and operation of nuclear power plants and has been reaffirmed in more recent planning legislation.
Proponents of lifting the ban, including O’Connor, argue that nuclear energy could provide baseload power, enhance energy sovereignty and help lower long-term electricity costs at a time when Ireland faces some of the highest energy prices in Europe.
O’Connor has described the move as a “once in a generation” opportunity.
Lowering electricity prices “requires decades of investment in generation capacity, grid infrastructure, and energy security” he said, but added that Ireland has “spent far too long relying on short-term sticking plaster solutions”.
“The countries that will enjoy affordable and secure energy in the 2040s and 2050s are making their decisions now,” O’Connor said.
“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,” he added.
The debate comes as Ireland is planning to import electricity generated from nuclear sources in France via the Celtic Interconnector.
The Celtic Interconnector is a 700 MW high-voltage direct current submarine power cable under construction between the southern coast of Ireland and the north-west coast of Brittany. It will be the first such interconnector between the two countries. Commissioning of the project is expected in spring 2028.
Ireland already consumes nuclear energy via its interconnector with the UK.
Critics highlight it is a policy inconsistency to oppose nuclear energy while also importing it.
While the Taoiseach has expressed support for a serious examination, the government has not yet committed to a full repeal or specific projects.
Ministers have noted the high upfront costs, long build times and the need for broad public and political consensus.
The Green Party, a coalition partner of Fianna Fáil, has voiced opposition, arguing that resources should focus on accelerating offshore wind and other renewables rather than pursuing nuclear, which they say would take too long to deliver results.
Public opinion remains divided, with recent polling and commentary reflecting both interest in new options and lingering safety and environmental concerns rooted in Ireland’s non-nuclear tradition.
Several European Union countries, including France, Sweden and newer entrants to the technology such as Poland and Romania, are expanding or planning nuclear capacity as part of decarbonisation strategies.
Advances in small modular reactor designs have renewed interest across the bloc, although regulatory and public acceptance hurdles remain significant.
Any move to lift Ireland’s ban would require legislative changes, regulatory framework development and likely years of planning and public consultation before any facility could become operational.
The then-Irish government first proposed to build a nuclear energy plant following the 1973 oil shock but anti-nuclear sentiments, inspired by the Three Mile Island accident and later the Chernobyl meltdown, posed to strong an opposition, forcing it to abandon the plans.
