Green Homes and Energy Event

Last weekend I had the pleasure to address the second Midlands 103 Green Home and Energy Show ?– I think that makes it an annual event. It is so important to have events like this as we have a short window to move our lifestyles, and our homes, to a more sustainable footing.

Here is a synopsis of what I said in my few words, at what was a very well attended event Tullamore Court Hotel :

"I think it is very fitting that a media outlet such as Midlands 103, with a broad, regional reach, should be hosting this showcase because communication, through trusted channels, is key to the success of the journey we are all now on.

?It's absolutely fantastic to see such interest here today, and I hope that everyone here will take some new information home - to turn today’s curiosity into tomorrow’s actions; and my main wish is that everyone leaving here today, leaves as an ambassador for what is possible – to start conversations over kitchen tables, while out walking with a friend, or over lunch in your workplace.

Because so much is possible – you only have to look around. And I really don’t believe we have seen such potential for change since the start of the industrial revolution, back when the Steam engine was the next big thing!

Ironically it’s because of the industrial revolution that we now require this change, because we have been using coal, peat, oil and gas as cheap and available sources of ‘horse power’ for 200 years.

And we find ourselves in a perfect storm, as we now understand that burning this fossil fuel has warmed our planet in a way that is threatening life as we know it. As if that wasn’t challenging enough, we also have a geo-political situation where energy stability has a new significance.

Shortly after the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, I spotted a poster which read ‘Insulate Homes: Isolate Putin‘.? Who’d have thought that insulating your home, putting solar PV on your roof or switching to a woodpellet boiler could be considered a political act?

Thankfully we have the solutions to deal with all of these challenges. We have the technology, the expertise and, I believe, increasingly, we have the vision.?

Nationally, of course, Government is responsible for our energy security, now and into the future. And there is so much happening in that space at present. Only last week my colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan , as co-chair of the International Energy Agency (IEA) , was instrumental in progressing another significant global agreement on the green energy transition.

There is also much happening at a local level. Forgive my Offaly bias, but I am particularly excited that tomorrow Offaly County Council will adopt its first ever Local Authority Climate Action Plan.

This is particularly pleasing for me, because one of my first acts as a Councillor, back in 2019, was to propose that Offaly County Council declares a Climate Emergency and puts in place a Climate Action Plan. Things can take time, but as long as we keep moving forward, in the right direction, then that is the most important thing. We can pick up the pace later.

Every Local Authority will be adopting their Local Authority Climate Action Plan in the coming weeks – across the Midlands and beyond. Every one of these plans was open for public consultation, so I hope you had your say, because they will contain the actions or map for the delivery and promotion of best practice in climate action, at the local government level.

At individual and household level we are also powerful – more than ever before we have the opportunity to reduce our bills and take back control over the energy we use or generate, whether within our homes and businesses, our workplaces, or travelling between the two – and I’m delighted to see different options for transport here today too.

Even our children, who have the most wonderful perspective on all of this – see what is possible, what is the right thing to do. Luckily for them they don’t have to concern themselves with who’s paying for it – something I’ll return to later.

But I am delighted that, over the next couple of years, all schools across the country will be provided not only with a Solar PV system, but also with software to help students engage with what is happening on the school roof. I referred earlier to your role as ambassadors – well these school children are about to become Solar PV ambassadors and they are coming into your homes – so be warned and be ready! ?

We must remember that as we nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, construction workers and global citizens, that it is our generation and those around us, that have created the greatest challenge they will face. ?Another reason why we must start with our own change now, so that we do not leave them to face it alone.?

Skills and training are such important components of what we are all engaged in today and it is wonderful to have the Midlands Skills Centre - LOETB at Mount Lucas represented here, somewhere I have had the pleasure of visiting a number of times.

I also have direct feedback from Grace, a member of my own constituency team, of how accessible these courses are. For her own interest, she recently completed a 2-day NZEB and Retrofit course in Mount Lucas, and I know she thoroughly enjoyed it, and gained a deeper understanding from it. And I’m quoting her when I say ‘if she can do it, anyone can’.

Work smarter, not harder comes to mind and there is much expertise in this room to help you do that.

To conclude, we, as the people of Ireland, have a National Climate Objective to pursue and achieve, by no later than the end of 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.

So how are we doing on our journey? We are doing well. We are retrofitting local authority homes from the carbon tax budget, we have one of the most comprehensive grant programmes for homes, cars, and car charging in the EU and, also using the carbon tax revenue, the warmer homes scheme is improving efficiency and comfort in more homes than ever before, and at no cost to the homeowner, where they meet the eligibility criteria.

However, there has been a piece of the jigsaw missing – the one that bridges the gap between a grant and the full cost of the home energy measure. And I am very pleased that state backed, low interest, unsecured loans, have been approved by Government for this purpose, and will be rolled out by commercial lenders from late March.

Governments, Elected Representatives, Social Media Influencers, and popular TV programmes will come and go over the period between now and 2050, but the speed and direction of travel must remain consistent with achieving that goal. It won’t be easy, but it is my belief that we can do it – bolstered again by my experience of today.

And I hold great hope that we will emerge with pride, with economic opportunities, with improved human well-being, and with sustainable, hopefully restorative management of our natural resources.

I believe the future road ahead is quite different to our past, it won’t be business as usual. And when we work together for a common goal, as individuals and communities, it’s going to be even better than before. ?

So may that road rise to meet us – and may the sun be always on our solar panels.

Thank you!"

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Electric Ireland Superhomes