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A NEW SURVEY of property and construction industry insiders has shown that nine out of ten believe that Ireland should harness wind as its primary source of energy going forward.
The results of the survey, conducted by Ecocem, ahead of the Better Building conference, also showed that 70 per cent of respondents believe tidal and wave energy should be part of the energy mix while solar power was also a popular choice at 58 per cent.
Nuclear power continues to be a contentious issue and debate about it has intensified following the second worst nuclear accident in history, at Fukushima. However, despite this, more than 12 per cent of those surveyed believe nuclear power would be a suitable energy source for Ireland going forward.
Just 30 per cent of respondents chose gas and the controversial practice of fracking to produce shale gas was cited by less than 6 per cent of respondents, with coal coming in the bottom at 3 percent.
Water charge
The conference today also includes a session on water conservation strategies including the issue of the water charge.
Not surprisingly, 80 per cent of the 400 industry insiders who responded to the survey agree with the introduction of the divisive water tax which is expected to affect 1.35 million homes, with charges of between €100 and €400.
75 per cent of people surveyed believe €100 or higher would be a fair amount to charge a four person household, with nearly 30 per cent believing €200 or higher is fair.
Less than 15 per cent believe it should be €50 while 12 per cent believe less than €50 would be a more equitable fee.
This year’s conference will have more than 40 speakers presenting in four parallel streams, covering topics such as green real estate, passive house standard, innovations and green materials.
Don’t think there’ll be much wailing or gnashing of teeth at their departure to cash in those juicy lotto style pensions
@Kevvy kerrr: stop being jealous and begrudging.
@Kevvy kerrr: ‘lotto style’. Same rules as any other public servant.
Adious and do continue the extravagant lifestyle courtesy of the tax-payers. ..
@Michale Kane: well deserved:)
Half of Fine Gael TDs afraid to go before the Irish people again but the government controlled media trying to tell us its Sinn Fein that are in crisis!!
@Kevin O Brien: they told 3 councillors in Kerry they couldn’t run, and parachuted another man who has never had any involvement in politics in as the sole candidate.
The original candidate for Fine gael is currently awaiting sentence for importing irelands largest ever consignment of crystal meth!
Running for the hills before the excrement hits the fan. Knowing full well that the weasels are in for a trouncing come election day.
@Marvin Dollery: no just retiring, perfectly normal :)
@Marvin Dollery: Well, you know they are not really in for a trouncing at all, FG & FF may well end up with 45–47% of the vote,– way ahead of SF , so we will have them back with support of some Independents .
Has our President congratulated Donald Trump yet. Or does 300 thousand jobs and billions in Tax not matter?
The journal trolls are doing a wonderful job in persuading readers to vote Sinn Féin. Keep up the good work John A Doe, John B Doe, John C Doe, John D Doe and all the other John Doe’s.
@Anthony Curran: Wouldn’t be getting my hopes up if I was you Anthony. Not a snowball’s chance in hell Mary Lou will be part of the next government. You’re in for Double disappointment this month on elections.
@Anthony Curran: you vermin are in for one hell of a beating this election :)
@J B: go raibh maith agat Kim jong un
@Paul M Doe: I do love blocking you clõwns. It’s therapeutic :)
fill in the blanks …..
shower of C_ _ _ Z
@Stiles: z..?
@Ciaran: S.
Bye bye please let every door door hit you on the way out.
Amazing how they all talk about work they wanted to get done and couldnt, I wonder how many on reflection could name one positive thing they have acheived? When the politicians come knocking on my door asking for votes I will have one question for them, what have you done to help me or benefit me, cant see my local doctor when I need to, waiting hours in hospital when you have to go in. Cant get my child enrolled in nearest school to me bevause it is full. FFG are esentially buying this election with hand outs.
Not a supporter ,,,but after all that time you given to the Dail you do deserve thanks enjoy retirement James
Thanks
The legacy of most of them, is that they fulfilled their own self interest, failed the people & while those with a conscience (minority) will have regrets, it will all be undone when they retire, gaining that massive Lump sum & pension, amongst the highest in World politics. Irish politics has failed, no more leaders of the calibre of Sean Lemass or Noel Browne to mention two, now we have PR Spin Merchants who have no problem shamelessly lying on air & have used this State to further their own political ambitions. They even have populated social media as we see here daily with “people” like Brendan, Kevin, Paul paid to control the narrative for them.
Congratulations to the wonderful FG patriots who served with honour. Enjoy your well deserved retirement :)
You know they are far from perfect neither am I but aren’t we all lucky that we were born in a reasonably safe part of the world.
Off they trot after a career with their noses in the trough. Leaving their stink behind after sh!tting all over us.
Don’t let your heavy pension hit you on the way out
JB I agree
@Dan Murphy: I don’t.
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