asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the ESB has abandoned its proposals for the establishment of a nuclear energy station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Proposals for construction of a nuclear power station by the ESB have been deferred for the time being, in the light of the reduced demand for electricity. Meanwhile, the board, who are ready to reactivate the project quickly whenever circumstances permit, are going ahead with completion of all initial stages of the project including plant specifications and planning permission. Construction of the station will be subject to the approval of the Government following receipt of the advice of the Nuclear Energy Board.

Could the Minister give us any idea of the total cost of a nuclear reactor at the present time?

There is no proposal at the present time. It is estimated that it might cost £150 million at the present time, but that is not a firm figure; it is only an assessment and it could be quite wrong. In fact, the ESB may not be constructing it for another seven or eight years, and it is not possible to say what the cost would be.

Could the Minister say what percentage of our total energy requirements will be supplied by this reactor?

No, I could not at the moment. If the Deputy puts down a question, I shall try to get the exact figure.

Could the Minister indicate the number of jobs it is expected would be created by the construction of the reactor?

That is a separate question.

I will be glad to answer it if the Deputy puts down a separate question.

Will the Minister state if he is satisfied that sooner or later a nuclear reactor will have to be established here, and will he not continue with the planning of the station now?

I said the ESB are going ahead with the planning, but we await the advice of the Nuclear Energy Board as to whether it should be established or not.