Domestic energy jumps by 63%

Residential energy consumption in Ireland has jumped by 63% in the last decade according to energy group, Sustainable Energy Ireland.

The announcement comes ahead of National Energy Awareness Week.

Spokesperson Tom Halpin said: "A huge proportion of the carbon dioxide emissions are produced as waste by the energy we use in our daily lives.

"All consumers of energy in Ireland should be aware that by making a number of simple changes in the way we use energy they could make significant savings, while at the same time playing a positive role in slowing down climate change'

Under the United Nations Kyoto Protocol, Ireland must limit the amount of greenhouse gases, of which carbon dioxide is a significant contributor, to 13% above its 1990 level - by 2008.

Ireland's national energy bill currently stands at €4.4bn and domestic energy usage in 2001 alone jumped by 4.3%.