Bairbre de Brún welcomes EU report on renewable energy

14 February, 2006

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has today welcomed a European Parliament report which recommends an increase in the use of renewable energy across the EU. Ms de Brún also said that ‘alternative fuel production could bring
considerable economic benefits in the time ahead’.

Ms de Brún was speaking in support of a report by Mechtild Rothe MEP on the use of renewable energy sources.

Speaking today Ms de Brún said:

“In the current context of climate change we need to seek new sources of renewable energy and alternative sources of energy in order to reduce the harmful effect of emissions from fossil fuels.  Alternative fuel production could bring considerable economic benefits in the time ahead.

“Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh thuairisc Mechtild Rothe, Feisire Eorpach, ar ábhair fuinneamh inathnuaite.

“I gcomhthéacs reatha an athrú aeráide caithfidh muid ábhair fuinneamh inathnuaite nua a lorg agus ábhair fuinnimh nach bhfuil in úsáid faoi láthair chomh maith sa dóigh is go laghdófar ar thionchair dhíobhálacha
dhrúcht na n-ábhar iontaise. Tá ábhair  fuinnimh eile ann – ábhair mhaithe – cuir i  gcás, bithábhair, cumhacht gréine, tonn-chumhacht, seachas na hábhair iontaise. Tá sé tábhachtach nach bhfágfar muid-ne sa chúlra ó
thaobh forbairt agus úsáid na n-ábhar sin. Dá ndéanfaí ábhair a tháirgeadh ar bhealach eile, bheadh sochar fiúntach eacnamaíochta ann d’Éirinn amach anseo.

“I particularly want to welcome the proposal to increase the share of renewable energies used in heating and cooling in the EU from the present level of approximately 10% to a realistic and ambitious figure of at least
a double that by 2020.

“Our focus must be on gradually replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources and an emphasis must be placed on developing technology which should harness not just wind but also geothermal, tidal stream and
biomass.

“As an island nation, Ireland is well placed to lead the way in promoting alternative energy sources such as wind power on an all Ireland basis. We need to be building upon our clean green image – and not simply paying lip
service to it.

“Bio-fuels, solar, wind and wave power are among a range of quality alternatives to fossil fuels and it is important that we are not left behind in their development and use. Alternative fuel production could
bring considerable economic benefits in the time ahead. “Some 6000 jobs in rural France are derived from bio fuels production and in a similar way Ireland can provide a high numbers of jobs.” ENDS