SOME of the country’s top engineers have warned that Ireland’s energy policy is undermining our international competitiveness.

THE November 2009 floods which devastated Cork and left hundreds of people in serious financial debt has been detailed in the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC’s) annual world disasters report.

IN your editorial about water shortages (July 26) you raise percipient points to do with three linked looming problems: the need to provide additional water, energy independence and a stimulus to the economy.

YOU have written (March 27) that Ireland’s electric vehicles (EVs) will require additional sources of power.

Engineers Ireland have launched a report indicating the way forward for our infrastructure in the next 20 years.

Around 90% of the island’s population will be living in just eight city regions over the next two decades, a new report claimed today.

People throughout the country have been hit by rising floodwaters.

THE recent report on the World Energy Outlook for 2009 from the OECD’s International Energy Agency highlighted the need for greater energy efficiency and “green growth” – including nuclear as well as renewable energy.

A MAJOR review of Ireland’s national energy policy is needed immediately in order to avoid a waste of capital investment.

LIKE Patrick L O’Brien (Letters, April 5), I have experience working in the Ukraine on an EU project — in my case for seven months between 2000 and 2003.

Donal Hickey on our future use of water

IRELAND’S demand for energy must be reduced by one-fifth within the next 15years, the country’s engineers said yesterday.

ENGINEERS Ireland’s STEPS to engineering programme was relaunched by Education and Science Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday.

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin and The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) have today announced the appointment of Professor Jane Grimson as chair of the council.