Minister aims to stimulate 'green employment'

Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan will today aim to forge new links with 'green tech' firms based in Silicon Valley in the US.

The Green TD is in the San Francisco area as part of the Government's overseas schedule of St Patrick's Day visits to promote Ireland.

Last week Mr Ryan said up to 10,000 green collar jobs could be created in Ireland with increased investment in sectors such as renewable energy and home insulation.

The TD will hold talks today in San Francisco with Biolink USA-Ireland - a transatlantic forum for Irish and US scientists and engineers to share ideas and expertise.

Biolink vice-chair Kate Gunning said the economic downturn created vast market opportunities for green tech firms in Ireland and the US.

"A whole new world has opened up for sectors such as biotech, nanotech and cleantech - and the potential for Ireland and the US to co-operate is huge," she explained.

Business contacts established through Biolink since 2003 have resulted in funding, business development, recruitment and increased sales for Irish and US companies.

"We will discuss with Minister Ryan recent achievements in the energy sector in Ireland as well as new policy initiatives," Ms Gunning said.

"We will also explore future opportunities for collaboration with Silicon Valley companies."

Mr Ryan will also attend the St Patrick's Day parade in San Francisco on Saturday as well as meeting local Irish immigration, cultural and sporting bodies.

The minister will also meet with San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom and local Green Party members leading the city's Taskforce for Energy.

Travelling onto New York early next week, Mr Ryan will attend the St Patrick's Day Parade and hold talks with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Meanwhile Innovation Minister Dr Jimmy Devins is continuing a five-day visit to Chicago where he will today meet with senior representatives of healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories which employs 3,600 people in Ireland.

Talks are also planned with Hollister Incorporated which has 320 workers in its Ballina plant.

The minister said: "While there are nearly 500 US companies in Ireland employing some 95,000 people, there are almost 200 indigenous Irish firms in the US employing some 80,000 people."

There are a total of 17 overseas trips planned for St Patrick's Day by the Taoiseach, 15 senior and junior ministers and the Attorney General Paul Gallagher.

Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer called on each minister to deliver a full report to the Seanad on what they achieved during their visits.

"These trips should not be used as leisure time for ministers and progress must be made to advance Ireland's reputation on the global stage," he said.