Press March 08

Pension fund withdrawal from bomb firms welcome

-But full ethical guidelines need to be in place - Boyle

Green Party Finance spokesperson Senator Dan Boyle has welcomed the announcement that the National Pension Reserve Fund is to cease investment in companies known to have an involvement in the making of cluster bombs.

Senator Boyle who introduced a private members bill on Ethical Investment in the last Dáil, said: "Today's news is welcome but the Government should now go further and adopt full ethical guidelines for the National Pension Reserve Fund as the Norweigan Government has done.

"As Norway and Ireland are partner Governments in the international campaign to rid the world of cluster bombs, the Irish government should follow Norway's example, and try to ensure that the National Pension Reserve Fund is not ethically compromised in the future," concluded Senator Boyle.

March 16th

Boyle calls on Cowen to support Green VAT changes

Ireland should back Anglo-French proposals, says Boyle
Green Party Finance spokesperson Senator Dan Boyle has called on the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to support moves to reduce VAT across the EU for environmentally sound goods and services. Senator Boyle said that Ireland should join with the British and French governments in challenging the European Commission to use a forthcoming legislative proposal on VAT rates to boost the sales of green goods.

"Consumers need incentives," said Senator Boyle. "And reducing the tax rate – and ultimately the price of these goods and services – will help to encourage a green economy within Ireland and the rest of the EU. It will also give an important kick-start to the development of green technology.

"The interest being shown in this initiative by the British and French governments should be matched by the Irish government. There exists within the Programme for Government a commitment that such a reduction will be sought. The European Commission needs to be moved away from its current negative approach towards this initiative," Senator Boyle concluded.