Ministers Martin and Ryan to speak at ASPO6

ASPO, The Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas, has announced that both the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Micheál Martin TD - and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources - Eamon Ryan TD - will speak at this year's international conference to be held in Cork in September.

The Conference - now in its sixth year and entitled 'Time to React?' - will feature a number of other high-profile speakers, including Dr James Schlesinger, the first secretary of energy in the United States in 1977 and now a consultant to the Departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security.

Award winning scientist and Greenpeace campaigner, Jeremy Leggett, will also speak at the event alongside Corkman and financial commentator Eddie Hobbs.

ASPO is a global not-for-profit organisation founded by Dr. Colin J. Campbell, with headquarters in West Cork. Its aim is to raise awareness about the timing of the peak of the world's production of oil and gas.

Jeremy Gilbert, President of ASPO, said - "Much of the best work on future oil supply has been done here in Ireland. Ironically, Ireland may well be one of the countries which will be most affected by oil and gas supply failing to meet demand. Holding the ASPO Conference in Ireland provides a great opportunity for our politicians and decision-makers to become better informed and to begin developing strategies for dealing with a frightening situation."

Speaking about the conference, Minister Ryan said - "I am delighted to have been invited to address the upcoming ASPO conference. I believe that peak oil - whether it arrives today or in the near future - is one of the most pressing issues to face Ireland. We need to urgently diversify away from our dependence on fossil fuels and I hope to gain some valuable insights into the problem and possible solutions at the APSO conference."

Minister Martin added - "I am delighted to welcome this prestigious international Conference to Ireland - particularly to Cork, in what is now its sixth year. I welcome the wealth of international expert speakers and look forward to being a part of an event which places such importance on a subject that is becoming ever prominent on a national as well as global basis."

The ASPO Conference is to be held at Cork City Hall on Monday, 17th and Tuesday, 18th September 2007. NTR - a leading developer and operator in renewable energy and sustainable waste management - will be the main sponsor of the 2007 Conference. The Conference will be attended by over 300 delegates from across the globe.