Securing Ireland’s energy supply a priority in new policy

THE Government is to introduce a new energy policy within the next year to reassess the country’s needs and to ensure security of supply, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte said yesterday.

There will also be a full review of the 2007 Energy White Paper over the coming months to assess the efficiency of Ireland’s electricity and gas markets.

“Given the dramatic change to the economic backdrop, both in Ireland and internationally, now is a good time to reassess our energy policy directions,” the minister said at the opening of the 2011 Energy Ireland annual conference at Croke Park.