Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

My experience so far of the plans and strategy of the Government, which experience is borne out by many in this Chamber and also by reputable organisations such as Trócaire, is that there is no genuine, concerted, holistic plan using joined-up thinking to take on the considerable challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. In order to meet targets set for 2020, policies and plans have to be developed with understanding, ambition and targets that will increase consistently and persistently in the next decade. Given that we found it so difficult this morning even to secure a legislative commitment that an environmentalist would be included in the board of SEAI, I would not be too hopeful, unless the Minister can convince me otherwise. So far, experience shows that it will be like pulling teeth. I will make a point which proves this when I get to speak again.

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