Brian Stanley TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on environment, community & local government, has today challenged Minister Hogan, "to remove the shroud of secrecy surrounding the government's climate change bill".

Speaking after the Dáil committee meeting on the climate change bill, Mr Stanley said: "So far the debate has been carried out in secret. The cabinet committee on climate change meets in secret, Minister Hogan refuses to publish the Attorney Generals advice on emission targets and the proposed expert advisory committee on climate change will not be allowed to publish reports without government permission. If we are to get public by in, these reports must be made public.

-- Advertisement --

"The effects of climate change are scene globally and felt locally. This government continues to sleep walk us towards a climate disaster. I would remind Minister Hogan that there is no environmental bailout. There is no Troika, ECB or IMF waiting to assist us. I would urge the government to adopt our climate change bill and save us from environmental bankruptcy.

"The debate on climate change must be open, transparent and inclusive. The public must not only be aware but must be part of a national conversation on this most important issue. For this to work the public must buy into the process.

"At the meeting I proposed that the committee have public hearings with presentations from experts and stake holders. I suggested that an appropriate date would be Global Environmental Day on June 5th similar to the one currently taking place on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

"Refusing to include emission targets based on secret advice is unacceptable. Minister Hogan must publish the Attorney Generals advice on emission targets. The last government published a bill with targets and the Attorney General had no problem.

"We need a climate change bill with clear targets and a process that is transparent, open and accountable."

(CD/MH)