Naoise Ó Cearúil: Energy shock, Ukraine and nuclear research
Naoise Ó Cearúil addresses rising oil and energy prices and their links to international conflict, arguing the impact is Europe-wide and felt in Ireland. He urges coordinated EU action, accelerated renewable rollout, and a review of Ireland's nuclear ban to allow research into small modular reactors.
Energy costs and Europe:
Naoise Ó Cearúil sets out how increasing oil and energy prices are connected to international conflict and wider European dynamics. He stresses that the cost pressures seen in Ireland reflect a Europe-wide and global problem that requires coordinated responses from the EU and member states.
Ukraine and the Druzhba pipeline:
Ó Cearúil raises concern about recent remarks from new leadership in Hungary regarding the Druzhba pipeline and warns that reopening such routes must be considered carefully given the potential consequences for Ukraine and the political balance in Europe. He insists Ireland and the EU must continue to stand with the Ukrainian people and avoid allowing changes in member states to weaken that support.
Energy transition and renewables:
He argues for accelerating the energy transition through sustainable choices: prioritising onshore and offshore wind and solar deployment. Ó Cearúil points to examples of successful offshore strategies and reiterates that renewables must be central to Ireland's approach.
Nuclear research and policy review:
While not calling for large nuclear power plants, Ó Cearúil proposes a measured review of Ireland's nuclear ban to permit research into small modular reactors. He frames this as a pragmatic step to inform policy, not as an immediate commitment to build, emphasising the need for evidence-based decisions on energy mix and security.
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As you know, the oil price is constantly rising here in Europe, and when I think about oil, it's clear that there is a big price to pay, and you can see that in Iran, and you can see that in Ireland as well. And when we speak of International Conflict, Minister, we have to recognise the impact that that has from a European context and indeed from an Irish context as well. And when we see the increased oil prices, when we see increased energy prices, it's all connected, and that needs to be recognised, particularly when we're debating in this House, we need to acknowledge that when we're dealing with increased fuel costs, increased energy costs, it is Europe-wide, it is world-wide, it is not just here in Ireland, and the Government have taken severe and serious steps in trying to address the issues here in Ireland. One thing that was discussed at the recent European Council, Minister, was, as you're aware, the election of Peter Magyar in Hungary, and at the end, to the autocratic rule of Viktor Orban, and the huge mandate that Mr Magyar got signifies that Hungary is open to democracy and then to autocracy. But there have been some developments in Hungary since the new Prime Minister has come into place, I think particularly his comments around the Druzhba pipeline, that that should be opened basically with Russia and the feelings of the Ukrainian people and President Zelensky there, I think we need to look at some of these comments, I suppose, quite carefully, and we can't forget that was also stated at the European Council, that we do continue to stand with the Ukrainian people, and we must not let any, I suppose, Member State, or changes in Member States, have any influence on how we support the Ukrainian people. This is a prime example, and if that pipeline were to be reopened, the impacts that that would have both on Ukraine and the positive impact that that would have for Russia, particularly we're trying to stall, I suppose, the limits of Russian financial ability. On energy prices, Minister, and I mentioned it at the beginning of my speech, but the EU has agreed to a coordinated EU action when it comes to energy, and there is a need to accelerate the energy transition, and my perspective, and I think most people in this House will agree, that we must do it in a sustainable and renewable way between onshore, offshore wind, and indeed solar, and to prioritise renewable energy in as much as possible. But what I will say, and there have been, I suppose, comments over the past few weeks around an opening up of the discussion around nuclear energy, and I do think we need to have that serious conversation, not large nuclear plants, I'm talking about SM or small modular reactors, we look at Denmark in this country as a good example of how to do energy, and they've done offshore energy better than anywhere else in Europe, some might argue better than anywhere else in the world, and they also banned nuclear in 1985, and that including the research, they have now changed that because they realise that we do need to have an energy mix, and what I have been calling for, and continue to call for, is that we review our nuclear ban. I am not calling for a nuclear power plant, what I'm saying is we need to research, and allow the research into the pros and cons, and we might come to the conclusion that it's not for us, but at least let's do it in an informed manner.
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