The government has been slammed for missing Ireland's climate change targets.

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley called for "binding specific sectoral targets for emissions reduction".

He said: "We also urgently need a wide portfolio of renewable energy sources; including biogas, biomass, offshore wind, solar and support for the emerging technologies of wave and tidal.

"With these sources of energy, we are protecting our environment, increasing security of supply and creating employment in rural Ireland instead of spending billions on imported fossil fuels.

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"We are seeing the effects of climate change with the emergence of erratic weather patterns. Storm Ophelia saw widespread damage in my own constituency of Laois and across the Midlands. Last month in Mountmellick Co Laois they experienced flash floods, bringing extensive damage to over 100 homes and farm land.

"The Government solution in the National Mitigation Plan is not fit for purpose. It needs immediately to be revised now. In order to take climate change seriously, wide ranging changes in terms of environmental policy are drastically needed."

(CD/LM)