The Green party has hit out over reports that Taoiseach Enda Kenny blocked Fine Gael representatives in Brussels from supporting the ring fencing of energy efficiency measures, in the new €315 billion Junckers investment plan.

Sean Kelly MEP had originally been one of the signatories behind an amendment from the Industry Trade and Energy Committee (ITRE) to ring fence €5 billion of that fund for expenditure on energy efficiency measures, but then withdrew that support at the last minute under orders from the Taoiseach. The measure passed by a single vote, however it is now threatened by moves from the European Peoples Party and and the Liberal Group in the Parliament to have the amendment overturned.

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Green Party leader and former Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan said today: "It is a shame that the Taoiseach took such an active role in blocking a measure that would be good for Ireland. As one of the most energy import-dependent countries in the Union we have everything to gain from supporting the measure. The lack of support for energy efficiency is reflected in everything this Government is doing. The level of retrofitting of buildings has crashed in the last four years, and rampant fuel poverty among vulnerable sections of society is being ignored. With massive unemployment in our construction industry, we have everything to gain from increased European funding for such activity. Why then is our Taoiseach blocking the one Fine Gael representative who is taking a proactive stance on the issue?"

(CD/MH)