3 September 2002

GREENS SAY TIME FOR TALKING IS OVER

Minister Cullen must take action on Earth Summit goals

As the World Summit on Sustainable Development draws to a close in Johannesburg, the Green Party has called on the Irish Government to come clean, and make a firm commitment to seven crucial areas of sustainable development.

Green Party Environment Spokesperson,  Ciarán Cuffe T.D. said,  "The bottom line here is quite simply  that Ireland has failed to deliver.  If the Government is serious about environmental sustainability, they must introduce the following changes:

1.   Development Aid.
The government must reverse the recent 40 million euro cut in development    funding. It is crucial that Ireland reaches its target of 0.7% of GDP funding    by the year 2007.

2.   Renewable Energy.
We  want to see the re-introduction of tax breaks for investment in renewable  energy  sources.  Ireland  has great potential in this area that is currently  not being used to its maximum potential.

3.   Transport Funding.
Improve  funding  for  public transport. At the moment only one third of this    budget  is being invested in public transport, while the remaining two thirds is  going  into  the  construction  of roads. This ratio needs to be reversed immediately.  Ireland  cannot  sustain its growth in cars. Public transport is not just a concept  -  it's a solution.

4.  National Spatial Strategy
We  were  promised a National Spatial Strategy by the end of 2001. This badly needed  plan  is  long  overdue  to  prevent  urban  sprawl and long distance commuting.

5.  Waste Management.
We are calling for a ban on domestic waste incineration.  As the U.S.A. is in the  process  of  phasing out domestic waste incinerators, this government is about  to start building them. They are an environmental hazard, producing up to 25% toxic residue.

6.  Drinks Containers.
We  are calling  for  the  re-introduction  of  a  deposit  on  all beverage  containers to encourage recycling of these items.

7.  Green Homes
A  number  of  new  initiatives  aimed at improving energy performance in new homes need to be implemented, increased insulation levels being one example.

Deputy Cuffe said that “the  Irish  Government  must  mainstream  sustainability”.  "We can no longer claim ignorance on these issues.  The new level of awareness that has resulted from both  Rio  and Johannesburg needs to be moulded into concrete policy changes.  Ireland  must capital ise  on  its clean green image instead of a continual reneging on  commitments made at Rio and Kyoto."

INFORMATION

Ciarán Cuffe, TD                618 3082 /  087 265 2075 
Stephen Rawson, Press Officer     618 4088