A new SEAI National Heat Survey has sparked a call for the Irish government to accelerate the deployment of low and zero-carbon heating.

Renewable Energy Ireland, a partnership of sustainable energy associations, welcomed the new report and urged the government to take further action.

Dr Tanya Harrington, Chairperson of Renewable Energy Ireland, said: "Ireland has a strong record in deploying renewable electricity, however, we are at the very bottom of the EU league table when it comes to using renewable energy to heat our homes, our workplaces and our buildings.

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"Renewable heat is a solution that we have available right now. Using existing technology Ireland can cut our carbon emissions while also saving money for Irish consumers.

"Today's report underscores the need to raise our ambitions in this space and to urgently drive forward to decarbonise our heat sector, with proven, widely available, secure renewable technologies.

"It is great to see a new approach from Government which prioritises our lowest carbon heating solutions alongside energy efficiency. We need to see the two approaches working together, cutting our energy consumption on the one hand while deploying low-cost and proven low-carbon solutions."