Green Party T.D. for Carlow/Kilkenny, Mary White, hosted a forum for Kilkenny businesses last night, in what she has described as “a meaningful opportunity for business people to discuss the changing climate of our environment and economy.”

Speaking after the forum, entitled ‘Changing Business in a Changing Climate‘, the Green Party spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: “Tonight was a very engaging forum in which people from all parts of the business community – investors, service providers, members of financial institutions, environmental business people, the brewing industry – gathered to hear the views of two speakers with real insight and then debated the issues with them in a Questions and Answer session.

“David Culliton, President of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the changing environmental challenges facing local businesses due to new water, waste and energy charges and what businesses can do to address them. Professor John Fitzgerald of the ESRI gave us a long-term overview of the Irish economy and the challenges it faces from global warming and peak oil. The ensuing questions and answers were very engaging and gave the local business people a chance to ask questions about the concerns and issues which face them every day in business – be it energy economics, the feasibility of rainwater harvesting or issues of location clustering to ensure better planning.

“There will be significant challenges for Kilkenny businesses in the year ahead, but getting people together to discuss them and advise solutions will help all to remain proactive and positive.”

Filed under: Local News, Mary White TD