Although local authorities do not traditionally have specific powers in the economic arena, the day-to-day operation of local authorities can have a significant impact on the local economy which in turn contributes to the national economy. In addition, there is a range of actions that local authorities can take to support and develop the business community. Research shows that where people feel invested in their community, they will know local businesses, buy from one another and feel connected to one another. Enterprise development is a core function of local authorities in Northern Ireland, and through local government reform the Green Party would like to see similar powers for all local authorities in the rest of the island.

At a local level, Green Party councillors undertake to:

1. Ensure that planning policy supports the New Green Economy e.g. swift planning decisions on renewable energy projects and ensuring that the requisite infrastructure is in place for green enterprise such as recycling.
2. Develop a dedicated Research and Development Unit locally that focuses on green enterprise; this should be done in liaison with other relevant stakeholders and using land-banks owned by the local authority.
3. Prioritise the provision of Incubator Units in development plans i.e. provide space at low cost and put the requisite infrastructure in place, with long-term planning for businesses to move on once established. Where such units exist but are presently vacant, put pro-active strategies in place to fill them.
4. Implement the Green Procurement Guidelines for local authorities ensuring a higher proportion of products are made from recyclable/reusable material thereby supporting the recycled goods market.
5. Establish a Cost Savings Forum for local businesses and SMEs to provide information on energy efficiency and good waste recycling and management practice.
6. Establish targets for reuse/recycling of local authority building material.
7. Propose the establishment of a County Recycling Taskforce targeting each business/industry and establishing local sectoral targets.
8. In liaison with County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and other stakeholders, support promotional campaigns such as competitions for small, medium and large enterprises to highlight those using the greatest number of local suppliers.
9. Introduce an Economic Development Unit and Team within local authorities, following the model adopted by Meath County Council.
10. Support the funding of a Business Officer from the rates paid by local businesses; a Business Officer acts as a liaison between the local authority and local businesses thereby enhancing strategic planning for enterprise.
11. Re-examine local rates for business and other options for finance-raising.
12. Ensure that the local authority has open lines of positive communication with all major employers in the region so that it can pro-actively plan for change.
13. Ensure that local authorities host visits from the key players in state agencies as a means of showcasing the locality for prospective investors.
14. Ensure that the Local Authority plays its role in delivering a safe environment in which business can trade; facilitation of the Community Policing Forum and ensuring that commitments on CCTV are delivered are an essential part of this.

The economic growth and jobs of the future will come from the new clean technologies, which will also mitigate some of our environmental problems. The Green Party nationally has demonstrated its capacity to safeguard vital investment in key areas such as energy, which will lead to huge growth in the green jobs sector.

In the context of national measures to boost prospects for economic revival through the green economy and the creation of green jobs, at a local level, Green Party councillors undertake to:

1. Promote a Local Authority Forum with inputs from all relevant stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy for employment in the region. This Forum should assess and follow up on opportunities for new 'Green Jobs' in areas such as insulation (retro-fitting and new builds), energy rating, recycling of waste, rain and grey water recycling, renewable energy and manufacture of green industrial equipment particularly in the area of agri-business.
2. Develop a skills database through this forum to attract potential investors and generate ideas for job creation. Ensure that this database takes adequate account of the skills that will be required to drive the new Green Economy locally e.g. retro-fitting, energy rating and micro-generation and liaise with FAS and VEC locally with regard to the courses required to meet the demand for these skills.
3. Develop community discussion groups to act as a catalyst for generating ideas.
4. Ensure that the considerable opportunities available through the New Green Economy in the Agri-business sector are availed of to the greatest extent possible including development of new export opportunities.
5. Liaise with third-level institutions to ensure that sufficient research is being carried out in relevant areas especially in design and manufacture for the low-carbon economy.
6. Liaise with third-level institutions to ensure that appropriately qualified graduates are fed into new start-up businesses.
7. Ensure local authority contracts are advertised widely to allow for local business opportunities.
8. Introduce and encourage local markets selling goods other than food.
9. Support the adoption of the ‚'Transition Town' concept, which will encourage economic revival through efforts to become a low-carbon economy with full fuel-independence. Transition Towns have proven economic benefits in terms of both energy efficiency and job creation as low-carbon economies are, of necessity, labour-intensive.
10. In liaison with County Enterprise Boards, establish local green business fairs to showcase businesses developing the green economy with an emphasis on innovation and job creation.
11. Examine possibilities for obtaining funding from the National Environment Fund to pass on to private green enterprises, which improve the environment.

Current agricultural policies have let the farming community down. The Green Party wants to see Ireland - farmers and producers establishing world-class products and becoming market leaders by excelling in green production techniques, reducing chemical and energy inputs – which will cut costs – and rejecting genetically-modified (GM) crops throughout the island. The Green Party's programme plans for the development of appropriately-scaled enterprises in close proximity to areas of agricultural production or in new rural enterprise zones located in towns. Trevor Sargent, Minister of State for Food and Horticulture, is strongly pursuing these aims at national and international level.

At a local level, Green Party councillors continue to:

1. Encourage local food production and provide more opportunities for direct sales through the establishment of farmers markets with designated 'market places' on-farm shops, food co-ops, and local abattoirs, thereby also contributing to the reduction of food mileage.
2. Support new opportunities for landowners including locally agreed wind farms, agri- and eco-tourism, the growing of energy crops and broadleaf forestry.
3. Support a GM-free local economy by encouraging GM-free production throughout local authority areas; this will enhance Ireland's standing as a clean green food producer.
4. In liaison with both the organic certification bodies and farmers' representative organisations, promote organic production locally to enable producers to avail of major opportunities in the domestic organic food market and the large organic food market in the UK by developing local public procurement opportunities in hospitals, schools and community catering services and by alerting farmers, their families and farming organisations to the opportunities and benefits that currently exist.
5. Use development plans to allow for the emergence of a strong alternative indigenous enterprise in rural areas focusing on renewable energy and agri-enterprise.
6. Undertake an enterprise audit reviewing all redundant agricultural buildings for potential alternative uses e.g. use of Carlow and Mallow sugar factories as bio-fuel plants.
7. Promote clear labelling on locally produced food clearly marking origin and carbon rating to promote local buying among consumers. Green Minister, Trevor Sargent is strongly committed to this issue and is actively pursuing it at national level.
8. Exploit the amenity value of agricultural land and forests e.g. Dublin Uplands Initiative
   [For more info see P.U.R.E]

Woodlands and forests play an essential role in providing us with fresh air, clean water, fertile soil and a stable climate. Trees help prevent soil erosion, drought and flooding, yet only 10% of our land area is tree covered. From a functional and economic point of view, trees are one of the most important renewable and sustainable resources available to this country. Trees are also of great aesthetic value and contribute to the lives of all.

At a local level, Green Party councillors continue to:

1. Develop a 'Townland Response to Climate Change' and ensure that tree and plant cover is greatly increased in cities, towns and villages. [Download the National Climate Change Strategy PDF]
2. Promote the greater use of timber as a sustainable construction material in all local authority-led schemes.
3. Use development plans to drive forestry land use thereby encouraging employment in this sector.

The Green Party is strongly committed to improving communications that will drive business development. Eamon Ryan as Minister for Energy and Communications has worked hard to deliver the next generation broadband.

The rollout of the national broadband scheme began in January 2009 and the aim is to achieve 100% broadband coverage throughout Ireland by September 2010. In addition, all second-level schools will be provided with 100Mbit connectivity commencing in January 2009.

To support measures at national level and encourage business locally, Green Party councillors undertake to:

1. Ensure that the skills required for roll-out of infrastructure for the digital economy are in place locally so that the significant employment benefits accruing in this area can be fully availed of at a local level.
2. Promote greater broadband access locally in conjunction with local business. Opportunities for business to branch-off from broadband in local second-level schools should be explored in this regard.
3. Consolidate post offices into local community internet/broadband facilities.
4. Make tele-working sites available in council-owned buildings.

The Green Party recognises the large contribution of tourism to the local economy. We want to develop a tourism industry that places greater emphasis on activity holidays such as cycling, walking, angling, sailing, horse-riding; a policy that promotes the very essence of Irish country living and its landscape.

At a local level, Green Party councillors further this aim by promoting low impact eco-tourism in the following ways:

1. Ensure public transport to local tourism sites.
2. Devise plans for farm-based rural tourism.
3. Provide traffic-free areas and eco-communities to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable living.
4. Introduce local area walking development plans.
5. Avail of significant funding available from the Department of Community, Rural & Gaelteacht Affairs for eco-tourism such as biking and walking holidays.