PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO KYOTO OBLIGATIONS INADEQUATE

In response to the EPA National Allocation Plan for regulating the amount of carbon dioxide produced by Irish industry, Green Party Energy Spokesperson Eamon Ryan said today that, "The publication of the National Allocation Plan is welcomed by the Green Party as the first small step towards tackling global climate change. At last we are putting a price on the environmental costs which result from our fossil fuel economy. However, the Government's reaction is far too cautious and is predictably biased in favour of protecting the interests of big business."

"Rather than change transport and energy policies to help us meet our Kyoto commitments, the Government plans to buy some four million tonnes worth of emission credits from less developed countries. New companies setting up in Ireland will have to buy a significant amount of credits. This is thanks to the decision by the Government to give such a large free emission quota to big companies such as building materials group CRH and the ESB which will also be exempt from the new carbon tax regime."

"The reality is that this European initiative, while welcome, is only the first stage in the response that will be needed to tackle the climate change crisis. Both the English and German Governments are already talking about future cuts to their CO2 emissions of the order of 60%. Our own Government seems to believe that we can address the crisis by tinkering at the edges and buying our way to meeting our very modest Kyoto commitments," concluded Eamon Ryan TD, Energy Spokesperson for the Green Party.

Ciarán Cuffe TD added today that, “The National Allocation Plan is inadequate and hits the Irish taxpayer rather than the big industry polluters".

“The Green Party has called for significant changes in Government policy in order to address Ireland’s obligations under the Kyoto protocol. Ordinary taxpayers should not have to pay for all of the cost of climate change. The large industrial polluters must pay their fair share of the cost,” said Mr Cuffe TD.

“We’re also calling on Minister Seamus Brennan to support projects such as the Western Rail Corridor linking Limerick, Galway and Sligo. We equally want the Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, to make changes to the building regulations to encourage low energy construction. We are also asking Minister Cullen to plan for sustainable communities instead of allowing suburban sprawl and long distance car commuting,” concluded Ciarán Cuffe TD.