merrion street

Pictured are speakers Dr. Brian Ó Gallachóir, Dr Sean Lyons, Minister Pat Rabbitte, Harold Kingston and Tom Gillen .

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte today launched the Energy Policy Green Paper for Ireland marking the beginning of a ten week public consultation on the future shape of Ireland’s energy policy.

Ireland faces significant inter-related challenges in relation to climate change, energy sustainability, security, and competitiveness. These can be addressed by transforming Ireland's economy from one based on a predominantly imported fossil fuel to a more indigenous low carbon economy centred on energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart networks.

Minister Rabbitte today urged members of the public to engage in the public consultation process on our future energy policy before the deadline of 31st July 2014 saying:

Any discussion on energy takes place within a complicated framework of competing and interconnected energy priorities but also across all sectors of the economy. It is timely to take stock and question the reasoning behind our energy policy approaches. The Energy Policy Green Paper recognises the complexity of the energy landscape and the importance of pursuing policies beyond competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply that recognise the significance of energy policy’s contribution to promoting economic recovery.

The Minister’s speech at the launch can be found

and the Green Paper Consultation can be accessed

.

Read the full press release

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