25th July 2002

GREENS CONDENM GOVERNMENT U-TURN ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The Green Party has accused the Government of performing a u-turn on their commitments to limiting Climate Change.

Green Party Dáil Environment & Local Government spokesperson, Ciaran Cuffe, said today,   “Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed in Kyoto in 1997, Ireland agreed to restrict greenhouse gas emissions to an increase of 13% above 1990 levels by  2008 - 2012.   Yet this figure has now been significantly exceeded." 

“It has now been revealed that the tax collected on the new plastic bag levy which was put into a special environment fund is to be diverted to build new roads.   Meanwhile of the 25 million euro cuts announced for the Department of the Environment,  20 million will come from public transport.  Both of these moves will add to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Minister Cullen has performed a major u-turn on Fianna Fáil’s election promises.  He has reneged on the commitments that Ireland signed up to under the Kyoto Protocol and he now intends to use an environmental levy to build more roads causing more pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The Green Party are demanding greater investment for public transport and the introduction of clean air taxes if this Government is serious about its environmental commitments and its international obligations ahead of the Johannesburg summit.”

INFORMATION

Ciarán Cuffe TD        087 265 2075 or 618 3082

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer  618 4088 / 087 235 7551