Over €16.25 million in funding is being made available to promote renewable energy research in Ireland, according to Mr David Taylor, chief executive of Sustainable Energy Ireland

Commenting on the funding, Mr Taylor said: "This new programme is a further significant step in implementing Government policy to promote the production, supply and use of sustainable energy - necessary to meet Ireland's climate-change commitments and to ensure the security of Ireland's energy supplies in the longer term."

Mr Taylor was speaking at the launch of the new support programme for research, development and demonstration projects to harness Ireland's renewable energy resources. Details of the programme are available at www.irish-energy.ie.