March 2010: Oireachtas Committee visit Intel to see business tackling Climate Change in action

Oireachtas Committee visit Intel to see business tackling Climate Change in action

Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security visit Intel Ireland to see best practice in innovation to combat climate change and drive energy efficiency

Pictured above: Tina Roche (BITCI), Patricia Doran (Committee Clerk), Senator Fiona O'Malley, Barry Kennedy, Intel, Liz McManus, TD, Sean Barrett, TD & Committee Chairman, Brendan Cannon, Intel, Michael Fitzpatrick, TD & Committee Vice-Chairman, Mary Wallace, TD.

Wednesday, 31st March: The Chairman, Seán Barrett, TD, and Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, yesterday (Tuesday, 30th March) participated in an innovative ‘Seeing is Believing Tour' of Intel Ireland's campus in Leixlip, Kildare. The trip was organised by non profit organisation, Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). BITCI advises big business on all areas of corporate responsibility including the increasingly important issue of the environment and how businesses in Ireland can play a key role.

Intel Ireland, a member of the BITCI network, opened its doors to the committee to demonstrate how they are combating climate change. The ‘Seeing is Believing' Tour was led by Jim OHara, General Manager, Intel Ireland and Vice President, Technology and Manufacturing Group, Intel Corporation .

The aim of the tour was to highlight how best practice in business can impact on climate change. Intel Ireland is one of Ireland's leading companies on combating climate change especially when it comes to innovation and energy efficiency. The tour was held in order to show the committee the kind of changes companies can incorporate into their work practices and the importance of a collaborative business and government approach. In addition, it demonstrated to the committee the positive impacts to business of having sustainable practices in place both in potential cost savings but also through applying an innovative solutions.

Speaking at the event, Intel's Jim OHara said, “Intel Ireland takes our commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives very seriously and we are proud and happy to be able to share our best practices and learning's with the Joint Committee members. Understanding the challenges in this area and how each individual company can play their part in meeting these is vital to continued environmental sustainability”.

The day began with a series of presentations in the areas of; Energy in operations, Energy and Research, Sustainable IT and Environmental Initiatives.

The presentations were followed by a window tour of Intel's Fab 24 facility after which the attendees were given the opportunity to walk the Intel site, seeing the facilities that support the manufacturing environment, including various environmental controls from water recycling to emissions controls to waste treatment systems.

“We are grateful to Intel Ireland for hosting this event for the Oireachtas Committee. A key aim for Business in the Community Ireland is to highlight to government the outstanding work of companies in Ireland in the environmental area. However, we also need to communicate to policy makers, the vital importance of a collaborate solution to the major issue of climate change. We as a country have to make the transition to a low carbon economy and businesses of all sizes have a vital role to play. This can only happen if we have the right government supports in place and we look forward to continuing our dialogue with all stakeholders on this increasingly important issue”, commented Tina Roche, Chief Executive, Business in the Community Ireland.

The members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security are Deputies Sean Barrett (FG) (Chairman), Michael Fitzpatrick (FF), Sean Fleming (FF), Phil Hogan (FG), Finian McGrath (Independent), Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party), Joe Behan (Independent), Liz McManus (Labour Party), Bobby Alyward (FF), Simon Coveney (FG), Mary Wallace (FF), Andrew Doyle (FG), Martin Ferris (Sinn Fein) and Senators Paudie Coffey (FG), Fiona O'Malley (Other), Ned O'Sullivan (FF) and Joe O'Toole (Independent)


-----ends----


For further information, please contact
Moira Horgan, Marketing Manager, Business in the Community Ireland
Tel: 086 172 2105 / 01 874 3812
Email: mhorgan@bitc.ie