Sinn Féin and the Green Party have thrown their support behind the Climate Emergency Measures Bill despite a "money message" from the government.

The Bill, which seeks to end the extraction of fossil fuels and stop the issuing of any new licences for exploration, is being stalled over government claims it would have a financial cost to the exchequer.

The parties joined People before Profit to hold a joint press conference in support of the Bill.

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Speaking afterwards, Gerry Adams TD reiterated his support of the Bill and condemned the government over the recent approval of an oil and gas well off the south west coast.

Mr Adams said: "In what was clearly a snub to the growing public and international demands for action on climate change, the Department of Climate Action (DCCAE) last week granted consent to CNOOC Petroleum Europe (a subsidiary of the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company) for an exploratory oil and gas well in the Porcupine Basin off our south west coast. This new licence allows for drilling in an area where CNOOC and ExxonMobil already hold licences to 2033 to explore for oil and gas.

"The decision by the government to grant oil and gas licences flies in the face of the public demand for action on climate change and in particular for an end to the use of fossil fuels."

(CM/MH)