8 Apr 2014, 12:50
Developments and current practices in renewable energy is on the agenda of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications tomorrow.
8 April 2014
Dr Brian Motherway, CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), will address the Committee. The SEAI’s mission is to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.
Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The most recent report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a stark reminder of the imperative for urgent government action in addressing climate change. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear from Dr Brian Motherway on progress towards reducing Ireland’s dependency on carbon. The work of the SEAI is focussed on the twin pillars of enhancing energy efficiency and the fostering of more renewables in Ireland’s energy mix.
“Ireland’s use of renewables has been growing in recent years, most particularly in the area of wind energy. While the controversy around the location of wind farms may also be raised at tomorrow’s meeting, debate is also expected to focus on the benefits that have accompanied the greater use of wind in Ireland’s energy mix. Committee Members will be keen to explore with Dr Motherway the impact of the growing use of renewables on electricity prices, and areas for development into the future, such as in the marine energy sector.”
Prior to the meeting with the SEAI, the Committee will consider two EU legislative proposals. Priority COM(2014)28 relates to the reduction of pollutant emissions from road vehicles, while non-priority proposal COM(2014)85 relates to developing a tourism quality label EU-wide.
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 9 April at 9:30 am in Committee Room 1, LH 2000. Public proceedings can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS
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Committee on Transport and Communications
Deputies: John O’Mahony (Chair), Paudie Coffey (Vice-Chair), Michael Colreavy, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Tom Fleming, Brendan Griffin, Noel Harrington, Seán Kenny, Éamonn Maloney, Helen McEntee, Michael Moynihan, Patrick O’Donovan, Ann Phelan and Mick Wallace
Senators: Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan, Éamonn Coghlan, Paschal Mooney, Ned O’Sullivan and John Whelan