asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the grounds on which the decision in respect of a nuclear powered plant for this country is likely to be taken.

The Government will have regard to all relevant considerations, including security of energy supplies, before taking a decision on the reactivated ESB proposal for construction of a nuclear power station.

I would like to put two points to the Minister——

I hope they are two questions. One does not put points to the Minister at Question Time.

I stand corrected. To what extent have the Government considered the question of the security of supply? Will the Minister elaborate on the projected energy need which, presumably, forms the basis for the plans on this plant to go ahead?

The primary purpose for providing such a station was to lessen the ESB's high level of dependence on imported oil which was about 65 per cent when the decision was originally made, and is now even higher at about 67 per cent. As far as supply is concerned——

The abolition of car tax did not help that.

Question No. 19 is postponed.

The Minister is replying to the question.

I am looking for the answer. I assume that the situation is that before a decision can be made, the whole question of supplies will be examined and a decision will not be made in this matter until then.

Is the Minister aware that the basis on which the projected energy demand was formed represents a projected annual growth rate of about 10 per cent in our energy needs and that that is not necessarily going to happen? Is the Minister in a position to say whether that aspect of it has been considered by the Government?

We are very happy with the upturn in the economy which has resulted in this demand for extra energy.

That is a political irrelevancy.