# Is nuclear energy a realistic option for Ireland?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-explainer-1063834/is-nuclear-energy-a-realistic-option-for-ireland
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-explainer-1063834/is-nuclear-energy-a-realistic-option-for-ireland.md
Podcast: [The Explainer](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-explainer-1063834)
Published: 2026-05-08T12:31:41+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/the-explainer/episodes/is-nuclear-energy-a-realistic-option-for-ireland
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/66f2a0897a3d63d20ff54509/e/69fdd7ad28bc864b8b1c1548/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-explainer-1063834/episodes/is-nuclear-energy-a-realistic-option-for-ireland
Duration seconds: 1325

## Resource

For decades, nuclear power has been the ultimate taboo in Irish energy policy, with proposals dating back to the late 1960s ultimately defeated by massive public opposition. But as energy bills soar and climate targets loom, some politicians are asking if it's time to rethink the nuclear option. Has modern technology answered the long-standing concerns over nuclear safety, and is it a realistic solution for a country of our size? We’re joined by Dr Pádraig Lyons, head of the International Energy Research Centre, based at UCC’s Tyndall National Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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