Sinn Fein spokesperson on environment, community and local government, Brian Stanley TD announced today that Sinn Féin will introduce a climate change bill next week in the Dáil.
Deputy Stanley said: “This government gave a commitment to introducing a climate change bill in their Programme for Government, but two years later it has done nothing on the issue.
“Earlier this week, in response to my questions, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, tried to hide behind a spurious ‘low carbon bill’.
“The Sinn Féin bill is a redraft of a bill produced by the Climate Change Sub-committee in 2010. This bill was supported by the Fine Gael and Labour parties.
“There is no reason why, in government, these parties cannot support this bill.
The effects of climate change can be seen globally and felt locally. To do nothing is not an option.
“It has become clear that we cannot leave it up to the government to introduce a bill. This Climate Change bill is comprehensive and can be the cornerstone for Ireland’s low carbon, sustainable economic growth.
“The bill will see the introduction of five year carbon budgets. These will assist in the management of Ireland’s reduction of carbon emissions.
“It will see the establishment of the Climate Change Commission. This will be independent of government and will prepare an assessment of the potential impact on the state of climate change and it will review on an annual basis the progress made. It will advise An Taoiseach on steps to be taken to meet agreed targets.
Current government ministers Phil Hogan and Dinny McGinly supported this bill in 2010. We now urge them to do so again and take the necessary steps to make this bill law.
