Ireland is playing "catch up" on its climate change targets, according to Sinn Fein.

President Gerry Adams made the statement after the Government published its National Mitigation Plan on Climate Change.

He described the plan as a "rehash of previous commitments, short on new ideas and will not guarantee that the state meets its international obligations on the reduction of emissions".

He said: "The responsibility for the inadequate drop in emissions levels that have been reached thus far is entirely the responsibility of the Government which has failed to take the measures necessary to address the threat posed by climate change in the determined way that is required.

"The reality is that Government policy has ensured that the State will not reach its international commitment to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020. This will lead to significant financial penalties being imposed.

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"Climate change is probably one of the most important areas of crisis facing the world today. There was understandable outrage at the decision by President Trump to leave the Paris Climate Change Accord.

And yet several weeks ago the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar scrapped the Cabinet Committee on Climate change.

"This will reduce the time given to the development of policy on this crucial issue and the priority it will receive by the Taoiseach and department officials."

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD said: "There is nothing new in the National Climate Mitigation Plan published today. The Government says it wants to put the issue centre stage but their report lacks any detail on how we are going to achieve our emissions reduction targets.

"There are plenty of plans for yet more reviews, consultations, and further economic analysis but precious little commitment to direct climate action that would set us on the right road. There is a lot of attention as to what the individual citizen might be able to do but no bold plans from the State that will make it easier for everyone to do the right thing.

"We look forward to taking part in the proposed National Climate Dialogue and to holding the Government to account in how the climate agenda is delivered within the new National Capital Plan and National Planning Framework. We have everything to gain by promoting a just transition to a new low carbon economic model and everything to lose if we do not meet this great climate change challenge."

(CD/MH)