Committee Calls on Executive Action to Promote “Green” Economy

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, put forward a motion today calling on the Executive to encourage and support growth in the sustainable and renewable energy sector.

Chairperson of the Committee, Patsy McGlone MLA said: "The Committee is very encouraged about the potential for growth in the green economy. We welcome the progress and work on renewable energy that the Executive has completed to date, but so much more needs to be done. For example, we could be doing more work to help establish a long-term vision for renewable energy in this region.

"The Committee has been fully engaged in the renewable energy agenda since the start of the mandate when it considered the Department's response to the previous Committee's inquiry into the barriers to developing renewable energy in this area, and made significant recommendations to both the Minister and the Executive. Most recommendations have been accepted, but it's the implementation that has been lagging. For instance, there are exciting opportunities for job creation and manufacturing in both renewable energy and energy efficiency and for us to be at the cutting edge of technological developments – the Committee wants to see action to see this vision realised."

Mr McGlone concluded: "We need a joined-up approach across government and an end to the delays. The Committee has called on the Executive to lead by example by backing renewable technologies and utilising the many prospects in this sector. The Committee's motion today signals our commitment to developing the green economy and to raise awareness to grow the sustainable energy sector. I encourage all Members to support the motion."

In the video below Patsy McGlone MLA discusses why this is important to the local economy.

ENDS