Sinn Fein has called on the government to "get real" about climate change and take appropriate steps to stop its "disastrous effects" on the planet.

The party's environment spokesperson, Cathal Boylan, made the call after new data revealed that sea levels have hit an all time low for this time of year.

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Mr Boylan said: "What is happening in the artic is unprecedented and has most likely played a role in the recent extreme weather systems that have battered Ireland and Europe over the last week.

"We all need to do our part to stop the effects of climate change and that means moving away from fossil fuels, setting realistic but ambitious emissions targets and accepting that climate change is not a future theory, it is happening right now."

(CD/LM)