Higgins calls for Government Departments to go green

FG MEP Senator Jim Higgins has asked the Government to make tangible steps towards cutting its own carbon footprint by asking for environmental audits of Government Departments and for Government Departments to source their energy needs from renewable sources.

"There has been a lot of recent media coverage on climate change and in particular the plans put out by the Government to eventually live up to Ireland's obligations on renewable energy. I think the first step the Government should take is to make sure that all Government Buildings source their energy from renewable sources.

"My colleague and fellow MEP Gay Mitchell TD made an excellent point recently on raising the issue of the near doubling of spending on the energy consumption in Government Departments since 2002."

"Rather than preaching to the general public the Government should be leading the way when it comes to renewable energy. Therefore, I am calling for all Government Departments to introduce plans to source all their energy needs from renewable sources as part of a wider call to have an environmental audit of all Government Departments to ensure they are complying with best practice when it comes to efficient energy use."