Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe will convene a high-level parliamentary workshop in Leinster House today, focused on promoting the rollout of renewable energy in Ireland. Organised by the European Forum for Renewable Energy (EUFORES), of which Cuffe is president, the workshop will bring together Members of Dáil Éireann with top speakers and representatives from Irish industry, NGOs, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, to debate and discuss the implementation of the European Green Deal and the upcoming European Parliament elections.

MEP Cuffe will be joined by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Transport, Eamon Ryan, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, Brian Leddin TD, and former European Parliament President Pat Cox. Wind Energy Ireland’s Noel Cunniffe, the ESB’s Patricia Comiskey, and climate activist Flossie Donnelly will represent Irish industry and NGOs, while EU officials Paula Rey Garcia and Yolanda Garcia Mezquita will participate for the European Commission.

Speaking ahead of the event, MEP Cuffe underscored the importance of the upcoming elections for implementing the European Green Deal:

“Before the 2019 elections, the thought of having an initiative like the European Green Deal seemed far-fetched and unlikely. Nearly five years later, we have made it law. However, making climate law is one thing; implementing it is another. We have set ambitious and broad-ranging goals at the EU level, and reaching those goals here calls on not just the government, but on industry, NGOs, and the people of Ireland to play their part. The participants in today’s workshop are united by a common goal: they all want to see Ireland reach its potential as a renewable energy leader. Bringing these people into a room for an open and constructive discussion about the way forward can only be a good thing.‍

“I am mindful however that the rise of the far-right in Europe threatens to unravel the serious progress we have made in the last five years. Ireland needs strong and experienced MEPs with influence who will defend the European Green Deal against those who wish to deny the benefits of climate action to the people of Europe - like cheaper, green energy, cleaner air and water, and warmer homes. I’m running for re-election because I want to make sure that the people of Dublin get to see those benefits.”‍

Dublin Green MEP Ciarán Cuffe is the president of the European Forum for Renewable Energy (EUFORES) and a member of the European Parliament’s energy committee (ITRE). He was named ‘Energy MEP of the year’ in 2023 and is ranked as the 8th most influential MEP in energy affairs by EU Matrix. During his current mandate as MEP, he negotiated the most ambitious renovation project in EU history, with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

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