Green technology will form the centre piece of the Irish economy, the Enterprise Minister has said.

Mary Coughlan said the Green New Deal would establish the country as a leader in green energy.

She said the government’s new 'smart economy' strategy has been designed to stimulate economic recovery.

Speaking at renewable energy seminar in France, Ms Coughlan explained: "Putting energy efficiency at the heart of this strategy will protect us from the inevitable rise in the cost of energy 'inputs' and the pollution 'outputs' arising from our economic activity."

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The Green Deal includes an Action Group on Green Enterprise to identify and pursue opportunities for jobs and economic growth.

This includes major investment in energy infrastructure, renewable power, and energy efficiency.

Incentives will also be offered for energy efficient investment. Support will be given to companies and farmers to sell electricity they generate back to the grid; and targeting opportunities in areas like ocean and wind power, and electric vehicles.

"Notwithstanding the current international economic environment, the government is committed to Ireland maintaining its global competitiveness and that is why we continue to place innovation at the heart of our economic development agenda and have invested heavily in its development," said the Minister.

She added that Irish companies were increasingly investing in the French economy, with more than five times as many Irish-owned companies establishing a presence in France last year as did in 2007.

(PR/JM)