I'm sorry I can't be with you this evening at this very important event - the first Annual Sustainable Energy Awards.
Congratulations to all those nominated for awards, getting a nomination is an achievement in itself. A particular congratulations to the winners.
It is wonderful that 230 firms have participated in the first year of the competition. That alone reflects the growing commitment to energy management in the public, industrial, and commercial sectors.
These awards show what can be achieved through your concerted efforts to manage and reduce your energy demands. I know the award winners will be presenting their projects in January. That will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase your achievements, to encourage others to participate in the future, and to demonstrate that energy management has a lot to contribute at company level. It is also an opportunity to show clearly that we can achieve national targets under the Kyoto Protocol.
I am assured that everyone in the room is aware of and committed to meeting the challenges of the national climate change strategy. Now that Russia has signed the Protocol, meeting those challenges becomes even more urgent. The Government is committed to other measures to reach our targets through a renewable energy strategy, and through the development of an all island energy market.
I note also that SEI in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland will shortly establish an Irish energy management standard.
One other development I want to refer to is the SEIs large industry energy network which includes 80 industries and accounts for almost 40 per cent of the energy used in the industrial sector.
To date, this voluntary network has saved approximately 410,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide. Never has there been a greater imperative for co-operation between Government and the business sector.
What I find most encouraging about this evening's event is that three key stakeholders, a state agency, a major utility, ESB, and people from across industry have come together voluntarily with a common objective that serves their own individual mandates and interests. It was this kind of partnership that created our economic success.The example you have given to players in the energy sector is one that could be more widely replicated to the benefit of the individual players, and to Ireland as a whole. I will be very happy to lend the weight of my office to endorse any similar initiatives in the future.
By participating in the Sustainable Energy Awards Scheme not only will all your organisations benefit but society as a whole benefits. I wish to commend SEI and the ESB on this initiative. Congratulations to everyone once again, and I hope you have an enjoyable evening.
ENDS