Apr 2009
Fine Gael National Press Office Press Release | |||||||||
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| Date : 16/4/2009 | |||||||||
| ESB recognition of Green potential must now be matched by Govt action | |||||||||
Fine Gael Spokesperson on Communication, Energy & Natural Resources, Simon Coveney TD, today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the ESB of the creation of up to 3,700 new jobs in the Green technology area but said the Government must now harness all possible opportunities which exist for job creation in this sector. "The ESB should be commended for showing initiative and ambition in the development of new, more efficient and sustainable ways of providing energy. The creation of thousands of new jobs in a transforming energy sector will help to convince the public at large that "Green Collar" employment opportunities are very real. This can be a source of hope and opportunity for many graduates and people who have lost employment and can be just the beginning of a good news story for a depressed economy. "What is needed now is for the Government to use the opportunities that exist for job creation within the Green economy to their maximum. Ireland can be a world leader as a renewable energy provider, as a promoter of micro-generation projects, as a promoter of electric driven transport, as an exporter of clean green "premium priced" electricity, as a country that no longer relies on imported fuels but creates our own from renewable sources. "The opportunities are real, exciting and achievable at a time when Ireland badly needs new ambitious thinking. We in Fine Gael have published a document entitled "Rebuilding Ireland" which outlined how 100,000 jobs can be created over the next four years by investing in Green initiatives. Such a plan could be the beginning of serious job creation in construction, engineering, research, electronics, software development, planning, project management and so much more. "I am appealing to Government to open their minds to the opportunities that are available, even in a recession, through a new way of thinking and through committing to build a new energy and IT infrastructure which could position Ireland at the forefront of the energy revolution that is about to take place worldwide. "The ESB has clearly recognised the business opportunities that lie ahead in the energy sector. If the Government shows a similar ambition by investing in new infrastructure, they really could begin to promote a new economic vision for Ireland that people could believe in - let's get on with it." Ends |
