Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley TD has called for "vision and action" to address the issue of climate change in Ireland.

The party's Climate Change spokesperson criticised the government after the Annual Transitions went before the Dáil yesterday, 06 December.

Teachta Stanley said: "Today a stream of Junior Ministers made brief statements on what they are doing or not doing on climate change. It was a process in disinterest, inaction and short sighted approach to dealing with climate change.

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"This week we also we heard this state will be 95% short on emissions reduction targets. The shocking reality is in all our targets to address climate change, we are failing."

Mr Stanley also urged the country to lead by example and take advantage of the opportunity climate change presents.

He added: "This is opportunity in sustainable long term jobs in areas such as biomass and biogas, opportunities in new apprenticeships for retrofitting homes, opportunity to create security of energy supply on this island and opportunity to improve the environment around us.

"Would Government prefer to pay money in fines or put this money into renewable energy to create jobs and a better environment?

"We are beyond small steps, we need vision and action and we need a big leap into a great opportunity."

(CM)