ASSOCIATION NEWS
L-R: Richard Smart, Ards Councillor, Nichola Lockhart, CEO of Ards Business Hub, NI Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and David Blevings.
OFTEC IRELAND MANAGER DAVID BLEVINGS OUTLINES THE ORGANISATION’S PROGRESS IN SECURING RECOGNITION FOR BIOFUELS AS A KEY COMPONENT OF DECARBONISATION POLICY... What are the benefits of lobbying?
Lobbyists are often seen as part of the political ‘dark arts’ but, despite the negative connotations, fair lobbying is a good and legitimate activity. There are rules in place (in the UK and Ireland) to ensure lobbying is fair and that ‘paid’ lobbying is not done by people or companies with vested interests. There is clear evidence that when individuals and companies propose solutions, raise concerns or provide additional evidence, this input from a wide range of participants makes for better laws and regulation. So, to that end, OFTEC is registered to lobby on behalf of the liquid fuel sector (in GB and ROI), and we use consultants who specialise in lobbying to gain access to ministers, TDs and civil servants to further the aims and objectives of our industry, and have biofuels recognised as a key
component of decarbonisation policy. We are often criticised in relation to why it is taking so long to get sustainable biofuels accepted as a replacement fuel for kerosene. The reality is that we are attempting to change Government policy, and that takes time and effort. It’s a tough task. The heat pump sector has done a very good job of convincing governments on both sides of the ‘pond’ that electrification is the only solution. We would argue that heat pumps are part of the solution and an excellent choice for a new or thermally-efficient home, but alternative solutions are required for older, inefficient and off-grid properties. Over the last three years, we have held numerous meetings with MPs, TDs and civil servants in both jurisdictions in our
David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager.
“RoI is facing fines of at least €8.2bn if it misses the 2030 decarbonisation targets.”
40 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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