The Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, welcomed today's agreement of a new EU Directive designed to boost energy efficiency throughout Europe.

Today's agreement will lead to greater investment by both public and private sectors so as to make both homes and public buildings warmer and more efficient.

Speaking at a meeting of EU Energy Ministers in Luxembourg, Minister Rabbitte said: "In Ireland we will be obliged to upgrade 3% of our public buildings (schools, hospitals, courts etc) every year. The knock on impacts of improving the energy efficiency of all areas of our economy are reduced energy prices, increased competitiveness at a global level, and perhaps most importantly, the provision of more secure, sustainable jobs nationally.

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"The agreement of an Energy Efficiency Directive will put in place a stable regulatory framework that will encourage industry to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. With a particular emphasis on improving the energy performance of the building stock the new measures should stimulate growth in the skilled trades and construction sectors.

"The new directive will also impose an obligation on energy companies to help their customers save energy through e.g. building insulation and using energy efficient appliances. Following today’s Energy Council Minister Rabbitte said, “These are ambitious targets to meet, but Ireland has been very much to the forefront in driving energy efficiency policy in Europe. The role of energy suppliers will be crucial to delivering our ambitious national efficiency targets. We will now see more choice and competition for energy consumers and I am confident that our energy service companies will meet that challenge. We can all reap the benefits of sustainable employment, growth and future investment."

(CD)