McHugh welcomes British Irish talks on trade in renewable electricity

The Co-Chairman of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, Joe McHugh TD, has said the opening of discussions between the British and Irish Governments on the potential for trade in renewable electricity is an extremely positive development that will be a win-win development for both countries.

Deputy McHugh was commenting as talks began in London today between the Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, and the UK Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry MP, on achieving an inter-governmental agreement to underpin the export of renewable energy.

Deputy McHugh said, "The construction of the east-west interconnector that links the British and Irish electricity networks last year creates the potential for joint British Irish co-operation on renewable energy. This gives Ireland and Britain further opportunities to boost production and distribution.

"Ireland and Britain are extremely well placed to take advantage of our abundant renewable energy resources and become global leaders in the trade of renewable energy. Today's Ministerial discussions will give renewed political direction to the project.

"Aside from benefiting national economies, local jobs can also be created throughout Ireland through a concentration on the development of renewable energy especially in coastal and rural parts of the country.

"As Co-Chairman of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly I strongly endorse today's discussions between Minister Rabbitte and Minister Hendy in this issue and pledge my full support for these discussions between the two Governments."

ENDS