Rejection of emissions plan welcomed

Environmentalists have welcomed the European Commission's order to Ireland to alter its national plan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocol.

Green Party environment spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said the Government should be investing in renewable energy, public transport and higher building standards rather trying to buy its way out of trouble with €100 million of tax payers' money.

"The Green Party is not convinced that Dick Roche is taking sufficient action at home in Ireland to reduce emissions," he said.

"The Climate Change Strategy is currently being reviewed and the Minister is considering submissions from several hundred interested parties who have suggested ways in which Ireland can reduce its emissions," he said. "To opt for this buy-out prior to the review process being completed makes a mockery of the Minister's interest in public participation."

Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan said the EC's decision exposed the Government's action plan on emissions as an "inaction plan".

The Government was proposing to increase the amount of pollution permits issued for free to big business over the next five years, at a time when we are supposed to be reducing our pollution," said Mr Coghlan. "I hope this reality check from the EU will be a wake-up call to the Government."

However, Grian today argued the EC had not gone far enough. The organisation's co-ordinator Pat Finnegan said he had hoped for a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in Ireland's allowances, rather than the 6.4 per cent that was imposed.

"It is disappointing the Commission did not have the courage to go this far," he said.