There is considerable potential for the Irish energy enterprise sector to grow significantly through the delivery of the Government's targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Our energy and climate change policy goals also have the potential to create economic opportunities, not just in the energy sector itself but also across a range of sectors including construction, engineering, information technology and forestry.
As part of the process of developing the economic employment and value added opportunities for the Irish energy sector, I hosted an Employment from Energy Initiative Forum last July which brought key industry players together with Enterprise Ireland, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), Departments and other agencies to discuss the way forward for energy enterprise. One of the key messages from the forum was the need to ensure a fully whole of Government approach which supports industry players and energy stakeholders through appropriate and coordinated structures.
I am hosting an Energy Summit next month which takes the engagement with industry a significant step further by facilitating direct interaction with myself and Ministerial colleagues on the development of sustainable energy enterprise. This continuing dialogue with the energy enterprise sector, together with ongoing work by SEI and Enterprise Ireland is, in my view, key to realising the economic opportunities for the energy sector which the industry itself is best placed to identify. In light of these developments my Department will be holding further discussions with Enterprise Ireland on the specific issues requiring review.
