Latest news with #Roderic O'Gorman
Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Green Party leader calls on Government to retain funding of key climate projects
With Ireland struggling to meet its emissions reduction targets, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said the Government must retain funding of key climate projects flagged under the new Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF). As a revised National Development Plan (NDP) is finalised over the coming days, and combined with the ICNF, which is due to come into operation in 2026, Mr O'Gorman echoed concerns climate spending may be rolled back in the context of a tightening fiscal scenario. 'With recent information from the Environmental Protection Agency showing Ireland struggling to meet those targets, it is essential that the Government allocate every cent of this fund to climate measures,' he said. The last government agreed €3.15 billion would be spent under the ICNF over the next five years, including on energy efficiency and the scale-up of district heating. READ MORE Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien on Thursday announced Ireland's first dedicated development funding scheme for district heating, committing €5 million to support early-stage projects. It is designed to prepare 'qualifying projects for subsequent capital support through the NDP'. The Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA) welcomed the move as a critical milestone in the transition to low-carbon, locally produced heating systems. District heating systems use insulated piped networks to heat residential homes and public buildings and provide hot water. They provide cheap, clean energy – using excess heating from industry including data centres and waste-to-energy plants and are considered critical to decarbonising the built environment. 'This is a hugely significant step for sustainable heating in Ireland,' said IrDEA chief executive Pauline O'Reilly. 'Heating is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the Irish energy sector. District heating can address this at scale by distributing clean, locally-sourced heat to residential, public and commercial buildings.' [ Two thirds of Irish households would benefit from low-cost district heating, study finds Opens in new window ] A range of interests from local authorities to utilities and private developers are working closely with anchor institutions such as hospitals and universities to develop viable district heating schemes, she said. 'This marks the first time in the history of the State that a national funding scheme has been created specifically to advance district heating.' IrDEA chairperson Dr David Connolly said: 'In time to come, this will be looked upon as a key ingredient to set the foundations of Ireland's newest utility, and one which has huge potential to decarbonise towns and cities across the country.' Without scale-up of district heating, 2030 climate targets would not be met, he added. The department has estimated between €2.7 billion and €4 billion is required to meet district heating targets set in 2023. 'District heating is an obvious measure to support – using waste heat from industrial processes to provide heating to public buildings and family homes,' Mr O'Gorman added. 'It will save people money, and lower our emissions. We see it working in a scheme in Tallaght already. But it does need start-up financial support to put in the pipe network to allow heat be shared.' [ Is this Government serious about climate action? We'll soon know Opens in new window ] Mr O'Brien said he was strongly supportive of district heating 'and the opportunity it presents to both decarbonise Ireland's built environment, improve heating systems and use excess heat from large energy users'. The Minister added: 'While the NDP remains under negotiation, it is my firm intention that funding will be available over the coming time period to support district heating. Furthermore, I am making funding available now to support district heating projects progressing through initial feasibility stages [and] have committed to enacting the Heat Bill to provide for a policy and legal framework.'
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Ireland needs ‘future generations tsar' to enable long-term thinking, say 70 groups
A 'commissioner for future generations' needs to be appointed in Ireland and to act as 'a sustainability tsar' in protecting the long-term interests of citizens, according to a coalition of more than 70 civil society groups and trade unions. Coalition 2030 strongly endorsed enabling legislation at an event in Dublin as the best way to overcome short-term decision-making by governments . Coordinator David Rossiter said it was crucial to act now as 'the climate crisis , demographic shifts and widening inequalities make long-term thinking essential' – and was critical to UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) being realised. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said: 'The world is watching as we approach key global milestones. Passing this bill now would send a clear message that Ireland is serious about future-proofing our policies and living up to our international commitments under the SDGs.' READ MORE He confirmed the Commission for Future Generations Bill, originally put before the Oireachtas by former Green TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh , had been put back on the new government's legislative agenda in recent weeks. It was unopposed by the previous Government but fell after the election last November. The bill crystallises into law an idea 'that when we take decisions, we shouldn't just be thinking in electoral cycles. We have to get that long-term vision, that long-term consideration, beyond the next election ... beyond our own lifetimes as well', Mr O'Gorman said. A commission in the first instance would advise the Government whether Ireland should take the step of establishing an office of the ombudsman for future generations. 'It's all about bringing the principles of fairness between generations, sustainable development and overall wellbeing, bringing those principles into how we govern.' Speaking at the event, Mr Ó Cathasaigh said it was designed to ensure 'longtermism' in Government decision-making, to move away from GDP as an indicator of how well the economy is doing by including the health of society and to be reinforced by a 'wellbeing framework'. The reintroduced bill 'must not return to square one. A cross-party agreement should facilitate referral back to the committee stage and eventual enactment', Mr Rossiter added. Sarah Carr of the Goal NextGen youth programme said: 'It's about legacy; today's policies shape tomorrow's realities, from housing and healthcare to climate and economy. We are the last generation with a real chance to get this right and a commissioner for future generations can pave the way for action. What Wales did in 2015, Ireland must do in 2025.' David Rossiter, coordinator of Coalition 2030, Lauren Jones Brennan, Ireland's UN Youth Delegate, and Karen Ciesielski, CEO Irish Environmental Network. Photograph: Barry Cronin Irish Environmental Network chief executive Karen Ciesielski said: 'Ireland stands at a pivotal moment in its response to the converging climate and environmental crises. The scale and urgency of these crises demand transformative action that is founded on fairness, guided by science, and focused on delivering a wellbeing economy that allows both people and planet to flourish.' Labour spokesman on climate, energy and the environment Ciarán Ahern said the ombudsman role could be described as 'a sustainability tzar' while the approach was proved to work. 'Wales has led the way with its future generations commissioner, delivering real results in terms of policy coherence, sustainability, and long-term planning. It has been shown how a dedicated office can challenge short-termism and embed future thinking across Government. 'The precedent is clear, this is a proven and practical step toward better governance.' The event was attended by members of the UN Youth Delegation; Goal, the INTO, Social Justice Ireland, Irish Environmental Network and the Disability Federation – along with a number of TDs and senators.
