Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, has been slammed over his intention ton lower Ireland's transport emission targets.

Labour Transport spokesperson, Brendan Ryan, said Ireland's Climate Change targets should supersede short term financial constraints.

Deputy Ryan said: "Minister Ross described the targets set in 2009 as overly-ambitious. I disagree.

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"These targets were made in order to help tackle the very real threat of Climate Change and targets were set for that reason. They had to be met. We have three years to get our targets back on track but instead of the Minister is meeting the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, tomorrow morning and his officials will very shortly consider what the targets will be.

"Minister Ross said that 'This time we want to make them absolutely realistic. We want them to be within the financial constraints and do not want to overshoot the mark like we did the last time.'

"I found this a very disappointing reply from the Minister."

(CD/MH)