Modernising co-operatives part of solution to creating secure, affordable and clean energy future for Ireland

Senator Róisín Garvey has welcomed progress on the long-awaited Co-operative Societies Bill, after meeting Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy. The Bill will see the most far-reaching reform of legislation in almost 130 years.

Senator Róisín Garvey, Green Party Spokesperson for Rural Development, Enterprise, Trade and Employment said;

“We have a proud history of co-operatives in Ireland. They are democratic, comunity-driven groups that emphasise sustainability and community building. However, current legislation is no longer fit for purpose and many communities are unable to form co-operatives due to high audit costs, outdated regulations and poor access to finance.

“We want a level playing field for co-ops and that means modernising our legislation, which hasn’t changed in over a century. The Green Party will be pushing for greater access to financing and grants, streamlined registration procedures and adequate exemptions from onerous audits for small co-operatives. This Bill has the potential to reform the way we do business in Ireland that will empower and benefit our communities.”

While cooperatives take many forms across sectors, renewable energy co-ops are one example that could offer potential in Ireland. Senator Garvey said;

“We are in the middle of a global energy crisis which has highlighted our reliance on foreign fossil fuels. This has caused a huge spike in prices for Irish people. We are also in the midst of a climate crisis and we need to make significant changes to our energy supply in order to reach our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030.

“Co-operatives can be part of the solution to creating secure, affordable and clean energy future for Ireland. Many communities want to own their own energy and new legislation is how we make that a reality and allow community renewable energy to flourish. There are already some great examples of sustainable energy co-operatives operating in Ireland, providing cheap, clean, community-owned energy, such as the Aran Islands Energy Co-operative and the Valentia Island Energy Co-operative.”

A public consultation on the proposed legislation was launched last week. The deadline for submissions is Friday 25th February.