Ministers back plan to switch off all lights for an hour

Two Government ministers have given their backing to an international blackout aimed at saving energy by plunging the country into darkness.

Minister for the Environment John Gormley and his junior coalition colleague Noel Ahern are supporting the Earth Hour campaign to stop the waste of power and improve efficiency.

The campaign will see lights across Ireland being turned off for an hour on Saturday, March 29 at 8pm.

The blackout began in Sydney, Australia, last year to raise awareness of the impact an individual can have on energy consumption and 22 major cities across the world have now come on board.

Dublin joined the list in January with the support of Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke and councils in Galway, Limerick, Kildare and Clare have urged local people to support it.

Friends of the Irish Environment (FOIE) is helping to promote the mass switch-off in Ireland.

"There is a widespread belief that energy conservation is just a temporary phenomenon and that alternative sources of power will enable us to continue just as we are," FOIE director Tony Lowes said.

"In fact, the whole of society is facing an unprecedented change in the world we live in. The longer we wait, the harder - and more expensive - change is going to be."

Green Party leader John Gormley has written to a number of bodies under the authority of the Department for the Environment asking them to consider supporting this initiative.

Mr Ahern, Minister of State responsible for the Office of Public Works, has agreed to turn off the lights in all government buildings under his direct management and control.

"Through one simple action, turning off our lights for an hour, we can deliver a powerful message about the need for action," Lord Mayor Bourke said.

Terry Moseley, spokesman for the Irish Astronomical Association, welcomed the initiative to promote awareness of light pollution and reduce bad and unnecessary lighting.