asked the Minister for Energy if it is proposed to hold a referendum on the question of nuclear energy as indicated at a press conference he gave during his recent visit to Denmark.

This matter was raised in the context of a comparison of Ireland's position with the position of Denmark in relation to reaching a decision on nuclear power.

I outlined the arrangements which had been approved by the Irish Government for a full and open assessment of the ESB's nuclear proposal, which includes provision for investigations by an interdepartmental committee and a public inquiry, and I indicated that this approach envisaged that the final decision on the nuclear option would be a matter for the Government in the light of the outcome of those investigations.

Did I misread the reports that indicated that the Minister said that he was open to the idea of a national referendum on nuclear power?

The Minister did not say that he proposed to hold a referendum.

I know that, but did the Minister not agree that a referendum was an option that was possible for consideration?

The Minister said that it had not been necessarily totally ruled out but that he did not anticipate the holding of one.

Would the Minister agree that the obvious time to hold such a referendum if the Government came to a decision that one would be advisable, would be in conjunction with the forthcoming general election when the cost of such a referendum would be sharply reduced?

I do not believe that the proposals would be sufficiently advanced at that stage.

Deputy Kelly, please.

The Minister is already committed in advance of any hard edged proposals. That is nonsense and the Minister knows it.

That was a very interesting comment, although I suppose the Minister knows as much about it as I do.

Was the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism not astounded when he read in the paper that his colleague, the Minister for Energy, had wantonly, gratuitously and without demand from anyone, promised or appeared to promise a referendum on this issue?

He did not.

What did the Minister say about a referendum?

I have already explained to the House what he said.

Under what legal mechanism presently existing can we hold a referendum on an administrative decision of this kind which does not require legislation?

There is no mechanism under the Constitution to hold a referendum except on a proposal to amend the Constitution or a proposal on a Bill which has been passed by both Houses.

So, as matters stand, there is no way of holding a legally binding referendum on an issue of this kind?

If it were formulated in legislative form and passed by both Houses presumably it could be done, but as I pointed out the Tánaiste did not say that he was going to seek to have one.

Would it not be possible to have a consultative referendum?

There is no way in which to have one.

Give us a chance.

Question No. 22.

Question No. 22.

Was it not foolish of the Tánaiste, who appeared to have taken a very sensible line about this over the last year, to throw the decision back into the melting pot?

Question Nos. 19, 20 and 21 are for written reply.