Ireland may reconsider its decades-old nuclear power ban amid energy pressures
Ireland’s long-standing ban on nuclear power could face a fresh review as energy costs rise and security concerns grow. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has signalled openness to examining nuclear technology, while a new bill aims to repeal the existing prohibition on fission-based electricity generation. Ireland first considered nuclear energy in the 1970s after the global oil crisis. Plans for a plant were later scrapped due to widespread opposition, particularly after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The ban on nuclear fission for electricity was formally enacted in 1999, reflecting strong public and environmental resistance.
A new push to revisit the issue has emerged in recent months. TD James O’Connor introduced the Electricity Regulation (Removal of Nuclear Fission Prohibitions) Bill 2026, which seeks to overturn the current ban. The bill is set for debate in the Dáil Éireann in the coming months. Meanwhile, Ireland is preparing to import nuclear-generated electricity from France. The Celtic Interconnector, a 700 MW underwater power cable, will link the two countries’ grids when it becomes operational in spring 2028. Across Europe, several nations—including France, Sweden, Poland, and Romania—are expanding or planning new nuclear capacity as part of decarbonisation efforts. Supporters of lifting Ireland’s ban argue that nuclear power could provide stable baseload energy, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and cut long-term electricity costs. Yet any move to introduce nuclear energy would require major legislative changes, a new regulatory framework, and years of public consultation. Even if approved, a functioning facility would take time to develop.
The debate over nuclear power in Ireland is gaining momentum, with legislative proposals and government interest now on the table. If the ban were lifted, the process of establishing nuclear capacity would still involve extensive planning, regulatory work, and public engagement before any plant could begin operation.
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