Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

While I do not doubt for a second the Minister's vigour and belief in how we close the gaps, we are specifically looking for the kind of plans contained within this Government which are in keeping with the figures projected by the EPA. The reality is the climate action plan has a big hole. By the sounds of it, there are no concrete plans - none the EPA can measure - to address it. The experts are in the EPA. We talk often about the need to listen to the experts. The cavalier attitude the Government has adopted to our emissions targets is regrettable. We talk about the change in the traffic transport plan in Dublin. There are questions about that but I am supportive. I do not see the necessary increase in bus routes to match the ambition in this regard.

Anyone listening to the glass-half-full assessment this morning would think we are on course to exceed our climate targets. The truth is we are on course to massively miss them. It is a failure of Government. Not only that but it also sets the next Government up for almost certain failure because the targets, which will have to be met in just five years, will be far too large and therefore unachievable. I thank the Minister for his contribution.

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