Fianna Fail has hit out at the government for failing to take action needed to protect Ireland's climate.

Spokesperson on Climate Action, Timmy Dooley, said he was "disappointed" by Budget 2018 and said it failed to deliver the change needed to make the switch to electric cars.

He said: "The Government paid lip service to the need to support motorists to make the switch to electric vehicles.

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"With little movement when it comes to reducing the cost to electric car owners such as eliminating toll or parking charges, I don't see how the State will incentivise owners of petrol or diesel cars to make the move to electric vehicles.

"The announcement of a temporary 0% BIK rate for electric vehicles is nothing more than a PR stunt.

"How can the Government expect motorists to make the move to electric with such uncertainty over BIK rates? With the Government announcing this 0% rate for just 12 months, motorists will not see the benefit in switching.

"The Government should have committed to a five year 0% BIK rate to give certainty and encourage motorists to make this important behavioural change."

(CD/LM)