World experts will debate whether nuclear power could ever be an option for powering Irish industry at a conference in Dublin today.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to address delegates gathered at the Engineers Ireland Conference before they discuss the viability of nuclear power.
Luis Echavarri, director general of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, will discuss the challenges facing energy policy makers to provide safe, secure, affordable energy supply to a population with ever-increasing needs.
Nuclear energy has been highlighted as one of the options that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance security of supply and provide cheap electricity.
But experts have previously warned social issues such as public acceptance of the solutions for radioactive waste disposal would need to be addressed for nuclear energy to play a major role in the future.
On the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, Mr Ahern yesterday told the Dáil that Ireland's emergency services were primed and ready for a nuclear disaster.
He dismissed opposition concerns that the State was ill-prepared for any fallout from the Sellafield nuclear plant.