There has been a significant and sustained increase in the number of Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments being completed and published since January 1,  when it became mandatory by law for all dwellings offered for sale or lease, both new and existing, to have a BER certificate.

Call for contractors to register urgently
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley have launched a national energy saving programme designed to stimulate economic recovery.

The Government has published a €4.5bn plan for sustainable transport to 2020. The Smarter Travel plan sets out Irelands travel policy for Ireland from now until 2020.

Energy minister Eamon Ryan is preparing to go to Brussels for an energy ministerial meeting next Monday should the Ukraine/Russian gas dispute continue. “While this is a serious situation, Ireland remains unaffected by the dispute at this time” he said. The minister said that his department, the energy regulator and Bord Gáis are closely monitoring developments as they unfold.

 

THE GOVERNMENT is being urged to take a much more pro-active approach to architecture by appointing a State architect to advise on policy and permitting local authorities to hire their own architects.

THE GOVERNMENT has invested almost €40 million to date in carbon-reduction projects that will help Ireland meet its Kyoto commitments.

€9m for developers of A2 rated housing

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD today announced that the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS), having made over 22,000 grant commitments to householders towards the installation of new renewable energy heating systems, will move immediately to Phase III of the scheme.

Construct Ireland can exclusively reveal that Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has today announced the launch of the pilot Home Energy Saving Scheme.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has welcomed the approval by the Board of ESB of a Strategic Framework to 2020 which should see the electricity supplier halve its carbon dioside emissions.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern warned of a "hard year" ahead as the economy took a severe battering on three fronts yesterday.

Targets for greater energy efficiency in construction and renewable energy growth unveiled at Energy Forum, writes Jason Walsh

The push for a new environmental watchdog for Northern Ireland has received a timely boost with a string of high-profile individuals endorsing the demand.

People might think that John Gormley got a tough start as a government minister considering that he is a member of an extreme Green Party. The incinerator got permission in his own constituency. He also found himself joined with Fianna Fail, which also means an alignment with the builders. Hardly the stuff of the Greens. Then he had a stroke of luck with the Sliabh Aughty mountains. The greenest of the green. To look at it like that is actually a misjudgement.

Ireland facing multiple EU punishments

AN ENVIRONMENTAL lobby group has called for more prosecutions of corporate polluters who flaunt the law

The European Commission has said reports that Ireland faces tens of millions of euro in fines over its plans to build a motorway close to Tara were exaggerated.