Government announces task force on Green Economy

Written by Administrator

Monday, 25 May 2009 21:02

“Green enterprise is now central to Ireland’s economic policy” – Tánaiste Coughlan and Minister Ryan
Dublin, 21st May 2009

Today Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan announced the establishment of a high level Action Group on the Green Economy. The establishment of the Group follows on from a commitment in Building Ireland's Smart Economy, the Government's Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal.
The green economy is already delivering jobs in Ireland, over 400 last week alone. The aim of this high level group is to unlock all the institutions of Government, across a range of Departments in the promotion of a new direction for the Irish economy.
There is huge potential for the green economy to help Ireland meet its economic and environmental challenges. The Tánaiste pointed out that latest estimates put the size of the global environmental goods and services market as exceeding €950 billion by 2010. The value of this sector for Ireland is growing and estimated to be more than €2.8 billion in 2008.
In launching the new Action Group, the Tánaiste said "I am delighted that Joe Harford has agreed to Chair this very important High Level Action Group. Joe has a strong track-record of working at the highest levels in cutting-edge enterprises, both multinationals and indigenous."
On the green jobs front, the Tánaiste stated "I believe the green economy provides Ireland with a tremendous opportunity to create quality jobs in a sustainable and high growth sector. I want this Group to build on the work already undertaken by Forfás * on the Environmental Goods and Services Sector on the Island of Ireland.
Only last week, I announced 180 jobs in Claremorris in a next generation bio-processing research, innovation and manufacturing centre which involves a €40million investment with the potential to grow to 300 jobs within three years. More recently, I unveiled details of a number of new wide-ranging FÁS courses for the construction sector focused on the new wave of green and clean-tech opportunities coming on-stream nationally."
The Tánaiste recognises the contribution that her Green Party Government colleagues have made in establishing this Group which will report to Government after four months.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan said, "The green economy will provide an immediate boost for our country in these times. Ireland has huge potential in the area of our natural resources and the generation of real wealth and jobs. This Group will be tasked with mobilising our talents across the public and private sector to position Ireland as at the forefront of the new global green economy."

Membership of the Group

Chairperson - Joe Harford
Declan Murphy - Ecology Foundation
Eddie O'Connor - Mainstream RP
Claire O'Grady-Walshe - AfrI
Colin Gordon - Glanbia
Brendan Tuohy - Former Secretary General Dept Public Enterprise & DCMNR
John Fitzgerald - ESRI
Martin Eves - EnviroGrind
Richard Kennedy - Kedco Ltd
Rosheen McGuckian - Group Corporate Development Director, NTR plc

Members from the private sector:
The following Government Departments and Agencies will be represented on the Group:
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Department of the Taoiseach;
Department of Finance; Forfás; IDA Ireland; Enterprise Ireland; Sustainable Energy Ireland
Forfás published the study Environmental Goods and Services Sector on the Island of Ireland, Enterprise Opportunities and Policy Implications, in
October 2008. http://www.forfas.ie/publications/