Responsibility for climate change mitigation and waste policy has moved from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to the reformed DCERN: The Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources.
Positives for business
A commitment to additional funding for promotion of clean energy technologies in heating and transport.
Incentives for afforestation.
Outstanding issues and missed opportunities
The replacement of Moneypoint Power Station seems increasingly likely to be a political decision, instead of a commercial one.
A second review of wind planning guidelines is promised – it does not bode well for renewable investment. Government needs to show leadership rather than pandering to populist views.
Ireland’s share of the greenhouse gas target for 2030 remains to be negotiated at European Council – need to hold the line for a fairer deal. Agreeing a far tougher target would result in Ireland giving lots of money to other EU member states.
A new round of feed-in tariffs (financial support for renewable electricity) need to be consulted on and state aid approval needs to be obtained for them.
Revised targets for energy efficiency should not place undue burdens on energy suppliers – much of the emphasis is on alleviating fuel poverty, which should be funded by other means.
Registered directors: Gerry Collins (President), Gary McGann, Larry Murrin, John Kennedy, Paul Rellis, Fergus Murphy, Danny McCoy (CEO), Ann Heraty, Leo Crawford, Regina Moran, Paraic Curtis, Edel Creely, Kevin Toland, Brian MacCraith, Siobhan Talbot. Liam O’Donoghue (Company Secretary)