Sinn Féin has said the report by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is "doomed to failure".

Spokesperson on Climate Change Brian Stanley TD also said the National Mitigation Plan must be prioritised to limit the damage and penalties facing the state.

He said: "Ireland is extremely unlikely to meet 2020 EU greenhouse gas emission targets for sectors including agriculture, transport, residential, commercial, non-energy intensive industry and waste. Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions reduction target is 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. EPA projections indicate that emissions will be only 4 - 6% below 2005 levels by 2020.

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"Current and planned policies and measures are not simply insufficient to meet the 2020 targets, with emissions projected to continue to increase out to 2030 and beyond.

"The lackadaisical approach by successive Governments is leading Ireland toward fines and a further contribution toward heightened global temperatures. There is an ethical prerogative upon the Government, not just a financial incentive.

"There is a clear lack of commitment contained within the Government's national strategy to pursue the kind of actions necessary to tackle climate change and ensure Ireland meets its 2020 and 2030 climate targets. Although there was a commitment in the Programme for Government to have a National Mitigation Plan in place within six months of Government formation, the public consultation only began one month ago.

"A step change in how the Government deals with climate change is drastically required if we are to avoid up to €1 billion a year fines after 2020 and even more severe penalties if our commitments for 2030 are not met."

(CD)