'Green' Welcome For Irish Minister

As world leaders joined some 16,500 people in the Danish capital to discuss climate change, there was a 'green', eco-friendly welcome being extended across the Irish border too.

The Stormont Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today welcomed the Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley, to an energy efficient home in Co Down.

Timed appropriately as the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is attempting to secure a new international deal to cut the emissions of greenhouse gases, both Ministers attended the first anniversary of Northern Ireland's pioneering carbon neutral home.

The Holywood house enjoys the accolade of using just £160 of electricity last year.

The Ministers also used the opportunity to discuss a range of all island housing issues.

Minister Ritchie said: "Whilst our respective housing markets have their own individual characteristics, there is a commonality in many of the problems we face.

"What better way to proceed than by sharing experiences and identifying new and innovative solutions," she said.

The 'green house', as it is dubbed by its owners, showcases the innovative, energy saving technologies that are being used to drive down costs, many of which are being incorporated into new social housing.

After touring the building Minister Ritchie added: "After one year in operation, we have real housing data to analyse and know that it is possible to deliver significant reductions in both our carbon footprint and energy bills.

"Sky Developments is to be congratulated on leading the way with this impressive, innovative housing project which shows what is possible here and now. Since April 2008, all social housing has been designed to Level III of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25% more efficient than ever before."

Following the visit to Holywood, Minister Ritchie and Minister Gormley met in Parliament Buildings to discuss the recent British Irish Council Housing Ministers' meeting.

The Daíl Minister John Gormley said: "I welcome the significant efforts being taken by both administrations to ensure that new residential construction projects, including social housing stock, were being designed and built to high energy efficiency and sustainable development standards.

"Like Minister Ritchie, I believe that we must continue to seek to reduce emissions from the residential sector.

"A key challenge for us all in the years ahead will be the mainstreaming of high energy efficiency performance in the residential sector and across all sectors of the building industry."

(BMcc/GK)