Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It does require government. That is the key. The Government can lead by example. If it is committed to making these things happen, the citizens will follow suit. Unfortunately, what is happening in this country is that the citizens are expected to do everything on the basis that the Government will tag along afterwards. That is the problem. We have not met any of our targets because there has been no commitment at Government and national levels. That is where the Government will come in. It has to lead by example.

I take what the Minister is saying about carbon pricing and the potential fines but I wonder what decision will be made at political level on whether we can live with fines if we do not take action. Will this be a factor in the decision-making?

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