A High Level Action Group on Green Enterprise has been established by the Irish Government, in a move aimed at shoring-up Building Ireland's Smart Economy, a framework for sustainable economic renewal.

Launching the scheme, Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan said there is huge potential for the green economy to help Ireland meet its economic and environmental challenges.

Minister Coughlan said latest estimates put the size of the global environmental goods and services market as exceeding €950bn by 2010.

The value of this sector for Ireland is growing and estimated to be more than €2.8bn in 2008.

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Joe Harford will chair the High Level Action Group.

Ms Coughlan said she believes the green economy provides Ireland with a tremendous opportunity to create quality jobs in a sustainable and high growth sector.

"Recently, I announced 180 jobs in Claremorris in a next generation bio-processing research, innovation and manufacturing centre which involves a €40m investment with the potential to grow to 300 jobs within three years.

"More recently, I unveiled details of a number of new wide-ranging FÁS courses for the construction sector focused on the new wave of green and clean-tech opportunities coming on-stream nationally," she said.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said: "The green economy will provide an immediate boost for our country in these times. Ireland has huge potential in the area of our natural resources and the generation of real wealth and jobs.

"This Group will be tasked with mobilising our talents across the public and private sector to position Ireland as at the forefront of the new global green economy."

(PR/JM)