Minister Bruton paying lip service to carbon emission targets – David Cullinane TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for climate change David Cullinane TD has criticised the government for failing to reach carbon emission targets for the second year in a row, showing a systemic political failure to take this issue seriously.

Deputy Cullinane said:

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published a report that the Irish State exceeds its emissions budget by 5 million tonnes in 2018, and is moving further from its climate commitments.

“This exposes the spin and bluster from Minister Bruton and this government on this issue.

“Sinn Féin has been saying for years that we need a paradigm shift in state investment in public transport.

“Instead, Fine Gael is selling off the network and continues to neglect investment in new rail lines, particularly outside Dublin where they are most needed.

“The shift in agricultural policy in 2015 to encourage dairy and milk production has added to emissions.

“Afforestation is also missing its targets, and has been falling since 2016.

“The sole response by the government is to introduce a regressive carbon tax, even though the alternatives are simply not there.

“Unlike this government, Sinn Féin takes climate action seriously.

“We understand it requires a systemic shift in public investment, one that Fine Gael is incapable of providing, as the EPA report shows.”