A top trade union leader today called on the Government to reignite the economy by focusing on green industries.
Congress official Jerry Shanahan said around 110,000 jobs could be created to boost the beleaguered jobs market claiming eco-friendly business is less likely to be lost overseas.
Mr Shanahan said: “Jobs in wind, solar, tidal power and biomass are labour intensive and difficult to outsource abroad.
“We can, at some stage in the future, meet most if not all of our energy needs, and certainly all of our electricity needs from indigenous renewable sources.”
At a Congress seminar today — The Potential for Green Economy Jobs — Mr Shanahan will claim Ireland could follow Germany which aims to create 2.5 million green jobs by 2030.
“On the scale of the Irish economy, that would amount to about 110,000 jobs,” he said.
“But to do so we need to replicate the experience of Germany and other world leaders in terms of high level political commitment, sound investment and a coherent national strategy on the Green Economy.”
Ictu called for the country’s four state energy companies — ESB, Bord na Mona, Coillte and Bord Gáis — to co-ordinate their efforts and ensure resources are not being duplicated or wasted.
Conference organiser Liam Berney said focusing on new ways to create jobs was needed now more than ever.
The seminar takes place in Dublin’s Gresham Hotel and includes trade union speakers, business representatives and green energy experts.
PA