Concerns Raised That Ireland Is Behind On Climate And Energy Targets

Sinn Féin has raised concerns at reports that Ireland is the only state in the EU that is behind in all four key climate and energy targets.

Lynn Boylan MEP spoke after the publication of a report by the European Environment Agency.

She said: "This news is made all the more disappointing after Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens promised to make us a leading country in tackling climate change. "With the recent flooding seen in Valencia, it’s clear that there are very real and serious consequences for failing to properly address climate change.

"Despite our greenhouse gas levels remaining too high, our use of renewables too low and our energy consumption continuing to rise instead of fall, the government failed to give proper additional funding to the Department of the Environment.

"In our alternative budget, Sinn Féin proposed an additional €200m in funding to deliver the real change we need to ensure a just transition to a greener future for all."