State urged to remove renewable energy barriers

THE Government was urged yesterday to remove all barriers to the expansion of the renewable energy sector.

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) rural development chairman Tommy Cooke, who made the call, said Ireland has one of the most poorly developed renewable energy sectors in the EU.

"The announcement in Budget 2006 in relation to biofuel excise relief has not gone far enough to help move us from this embarrassing position," he said.