The Green Party and Sinn Fein have slammed the government after it was revealed Ireland is to miss its 2020 climate change targets.

The Climate Change Advisory Council's Annual Review showed the "staggering gap in ambition between the Government's plans, and the steps needed for Ireland to meet its international climate change commitments", according to Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

He said plans are needed if Ireland is to avoid massive fines.

Mr Ryan said: "The Government says it wants to make the change to a cleaner economy but they are doing nothing to make that switch happen. Our transport emissions are rising fast because we are not funding public transport, cycling and walking. In our energy policy we are continuing to burn coal and peat as if there is no tomorrow. This is going to have to change. We cannot sign up to a green future on the international stage and keep burning everything here at home. Even former Fine Gael Minister, now EU Commissioner, Phil Hogan is recognising that climate change can no longer be ignored by Irish agriculture. The rest of Fine Gael need to realise this too."

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action Brian Stanley TD said there is little surprise at the stark failure of the government.

He said: "The plan from Government rests with their very watery 'National Mitigation Plan' published in July this year, which the Climate Change Advisory Council have now slammed and see as inadequate, and Sinn Féin agrees with this. 

"This government and previous governments have an utter disinterest in acting on climate change.  Successive reports clearly highlight this political disinterest. Whatever this government, and the previous Fine Gael government will be remembered for, their lack of action of our climate may stand out as their shameful legacy."

(CD/MH)