Bertie pledges to help householders go green

Fianna Fáil today promised to change planning laws to urge householders generate renewable power for their homes, the Taoiseach said today.

The new regime will encourage people to install domestic wind turbines, solar panels, biomass burners and heat pumps.

Speaking at a Fianna Fáil councillors conference in Bettystown Co Meath, Ahern also said extra energy produced at home and at work could be sold back into the national grid.

His comments came as the Green Party members criticised the Government's record on environmental policies at their annual conference in Co Galway.

Mr Ahern said: "We will build on the huge success of the Greener Homes grant scheme to make the use of solar energy and other micro-renewable technology a standard in all Irish homes and businesses.

"Planning law will be changed to facilitate the installation of new energy technologies such as domestic wind turbines, solar panels, biomass burners and heat pumps in support of the Greener Homes Scheme.

"In time, we will ensure that energy produced in the home and at work can be sold back into the national grid."

Mr Ahern also told attending councillors that the feasibility study into the proposed Dublin Outer Orbital Route, planned to orbit the M50, would be presented to Minister for Transport Martin Cullen in coming weeks.

"I am confident that the outcome will be positive and I would like the National Roads Authority to conclude its examination soon so that we can proceed towards construction of this vital piece of national infrastructure," he said.