Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action and the Environment, Darren O’Rourke TD, has slammed the government for failing to deliver vital progress on climate action, with potential fines exceeding €8 billion.

Commenting on the Climate Change’s Advisory’s Council annual cross-sectoral review which was published today, the Meath East TD said:

“The key takeaway is of no surprise to anyone. Ireland remains massively overdependent on imported fossil fuels and the schemes that the government has in place to help ordinary workers and families, are deeply inequitable and inaccessible. Far too many households are being left behind.

“The report echoes Sinn Féin’s criticisms that the government’s schemes to transition away from fossil fuels are inequitable and inaccessible to ordinary people. Only those with significant means can afford the high up-front costs.

“In other words, not only are the government failing to deliver climate action at the pace and scale necessary to reach our targets, but they are also determined to stick with their regressive approach, locking ordinary workers and families out of the benefits of decarbonisation.

“Ireland has also become increasingly reliant on imported electricity from Britain.

“The government is using this as a tactic to obscure the fact that they are failing to make progress on renewables. Imported electricity jumped from just 1% of our energy mix in 2022 to nearly 10% today. This cost us €450 million last year.

“Importing electricity from Britain is also set to become more expensive once the EU’s Carbon Budget Accounting Mechanism kicks in.

“The minuscule reduction in emissions noted in the CCAC report today can therefore be explained away as a problem the government paid hundreds of millions to offshore elsewhere. 

“It is clear that change is needed; resourcing, ambition and political will need to be ramped up. However, this will not, in and of itself deliver a just transition.

“Only a truly just transition will deliver the type of climate action that goes hand in hand with a better quality of life for workers and families, as well as reducing emissions. A better, fairer way is possible.”