Any deal on emissions must be transformational

This is the right time for a deal, but it has to be the right deal

Speaking ahead of another meeting between the leaders of the three government parties this evening, intended to hammer out a deal on sectoral ceilings on emissions in time for tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, Friends of the Earth Chief Executive, Oisín Coghlan, commented:

"This is the right time for a deal, but it has to be the right deal. It has to be strong enough to signal transformational change in all sectors and to all stakeholders.

"While farmers need every support to reduce pollution while increasing incomes, big agri-business and their lobbyists must realise they can no longer dictate Irish climate policy.

"We’ve put a 51% reduction in emissions into law now and every sector has to step up and do its fair share. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael surely realise that this is the reason the Green Party went into Government. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Greens were prepared to fight an election on this issue, I doubt those Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers looking for further concessions for agriculture are that keen on an election."

ENDS