THE GOVERNMENT has confirmed that it will spend €200 million over a number of departments to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Speaking at an energy forum hosted by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural resources Eamon Ryan yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "Our objective is an energy policy based on secure sources of supply that promotes competitiveness, and is environmentally sustainable.
"The Government intends to provide the enabling environment for Ireland to unlock the immense opportunities that this new energy era can bring to our economy in job creation and inward investment".
He confirmed that the Government will invest over €200 million over the next five years in energy-related research and development. The money has already been promised under the current National Development Plan and the Programme for Government between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. "Today's meeting demonstrates the Government's commitment to unlocking the opportunities that this new energy era can bring to our economy. We can demonstrate our leadership in this area best by what we do on the ground.
This is what today is about. We will tease out any obstacles or untapped opportunities that exist in the development of this industrial sector. We want to take a direct, interactive approach to inform future Government actions so that Ireland becomes a leading low carbon economy," he said.
The forum was attended by Mr Ryan's Green Party colleague Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley and three other Cabinet Ministers: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin; Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mary Coughlan and Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
Included in the €200 million package, Mr Martin announced an allocation of €90 million of Science Foundation Ireland funds to "target a world-class research capacity in the area of sustainable energy and energy technologies over the period to 2013".
The Minster for Energy also launched a report claiming that initiatives such as smart metering, building improvements and peak demand reduction will benefit the Irish economy by €3.6 billion.
"Notably, they will reduce our carbon emissions by over six million tonnes," said Mr Ryan
"Everything we do in relation to sustainable energy - be it the promotion of energy efficiency, the fostering of a vibrant, renewable electricity sector or the development of a domestic market for biomass - will contribute to reducing Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
"By becoming world leaders in this field, we are not only providing solutions but also securing jobs and securing energy supplies in our communities well into the future," he said.
The forum was attended by 400 companies and other organisations.
