Ireland's Environment Minister has toured a trailblazing energy efficient home in Holywood, Co Down.

John Gormley joined Northern Ireland Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie in celebrating the first anniversary of the province's pioneering carbon neutral home, which used just £160 of electricity last year.

The Ministers also used the opportunity to discuss a range of all island housing issues.

Ms Ritchie said that despite individual characteristics on both sides of the border, there is a "commonality in many of the problems we face".

"What better way to proceed than by sharing experiences and identifying new and innovative solutions."

The ‘green house’, as it is dubbed by its owners, showcases the innovative, energy saving technologies that are being used to drive down costs, many of which are being incorporated into new social housing in Northern Ireland.

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"After one year in operation, we have real housing data to analyse and know that it is possible to deliver significant reductions in both our carbon footprint and energy bills," said Ms Ritchie.

"Sky Developments is to be congratulated on leading the way with this impressive, innovative housing project which shows what is possible here and now."

She added: "Since April 2008, all social housing has been designed to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25% more efficient than ever before."

Following the visit to Holywood, Minister Ritchie and Minister Gormley met in Parliament Buildings to discuss the recent British Irish Council Housing Ministers’ meeting.

Minister Gormley said he welcomed the "significant efforts" being taken by both administrations to ensure that new residential construction projects, including social housing stock, were being designed and built to high energy efficiency and sustainable development standards.

"Like Minister Ritchie, I believe that we must continue to seek to reduce emissions from the residential sector," he said.

"A key challenge for us all in the years ahead will be the mainstreaming of high energy efficiency performance in the residential sector and across all sectors of the building industry."

(PR/KMcA)