IPOA PRESS RELEASE 17th October 2006
for immediate release
Noel Dempsey, TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, today drew attention to the government’s recent Green Paper ‘Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” at The Green House Sessions, the Irish Property Owners Association Conference on Energy Efficiency and Residential Property taking part in Croke Park.
The Minister stated “In my view the Government – and the country – needs a single comprehensive Energy Policy that draws together all the policy strands into a coherent whole”. The Green Paper sets ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy targets including a 30% aim of electricity consumed to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Minister Dempsey also referred to the government’s Greener Homes Scheme which by its final year is expected to displace 8.6m litres of oil per annum, almost 1% of the heating consumed in the domestic market in 2004. This is a significant step towards reducing Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and will also save 23,000 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions per annum.
The Minister also spoke of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which will be implemented in Ireland from 2006 and the BER (Building Energy rating) standards that are part of the Directive. ‘Energy ratings are expected to influence choices of buildings, both for buyers and tenants of dwellings and those investing in, or renting property’, he commented. ‘For this reason, I urge those of you who are buying property or doing renovations to existing buildings to look to the future and aim for at least these thresholds of energy rating”.
The Green House Sessions will continue with a programme of presentations from Irish and international speakers throughout the day.
For further information, contact Sara Corcoran / Gemma Ryan 087 7624258 / 087 7643788
Photographs available on request.
ENDS