Press Release: Environment  !7 August 2006

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Green Party slams Roche’s cave-in to industry pressure on ‘green’ cement - Move will cost Irish taxpayers millions says Cuffe

The Green Party has heavily criticised the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche for refusing to support the use of ‘green’ cement in the State’s building projects. Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciaran Cuffe TD says the move will cost the taxpayer millions as Ireland struggles to reach Kyoto agreement targets.

“‘Green’ cement produces much less greenhouse gas emissions than regular cement during manufacture. The more we exceed our emissions quota, the more ordinary Irish taxpayers will have to pay fines under the Kyoto agreement. Ireland is currently operating at twice the increase in emissions allowed for under the Kyoto Treaty.

“Every time Dick Roche comes under pressure from big business to back away from improving Ireland’s environmental record he has obliged. In the last year Wrigley’s, Ikea, and now the Cement Manufacturers Association have walked out of his offices with a smile on their faces.

“This decision by Minister Roche make as little economic sense as it makes environmental sense. Encouraging green cement would attract more companies into that new and growing sector. Even the US Government has taken the lead in specifying the use of materials such as green cement in construction projects.

“In this instance Dick Roche had to balance the interests of Irish taxpayers, our international obligations under Kyoto and the EU Directive on green procurement against the interests of the Irish cement industry. Minister Roche’s decision has sided with commercial interests over the national environmental and economic interest.

“This Government is clearly past its sell-by date. It has constantly sided with industry rather than the tax-payer or consumer. It needs to move aside so that new ideas and innovative thinking can be applied to the challenges that we face,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.