Labour has set out a proposal for a €9 climate transport ticket to help people make the move to public transport and move Ireland closer to its emission targets.

Ivana Bacik called on the government to adopt her party's proposal as part of next week's mini-Budget package in the Dail yesterday, 16 February.

Deputy Bacik said: "Modelled on a similar scheme which was introduced in Germany, the ticket would entitle people across the country to unlimited travel, across all modes of transport, for just €9 per month.

"We estimate that the carbon emissions savings of such a policy would be equivalent to removing 23,000 cars off our roads. It's time this Government was brave enough to take radical steps towards a cleaner future.

-- Advertisement --

"If we are serious about achieving our net zero targets, we need carrots, not just sticks. We need to see leadership from the Dáil. The mini-budget to be announced on Tuesday must be framed in a package of cost-saving measures for households that support our climate obligations.

"When we look abroad, we see other Government's have the courage to be brave when it comes to climate. The Labour Government in Wales has taken the radical decision to halt future road building projects due to climate concerns, the French Government is moving to ban short-haul flights where a decent rail alternative is available. State Governments in Australia are turning down mining licences to avoid further damage to the Great Barrier Reef. Let's have Ireland stand shoulder to shoulder with other countries and peoples determined to combat the effects of climate change.

"We cannot afford to miss any more of our vital climate targets. Next week's mini-budget simply must be framed around the lens of climate action. Let's be ambitious for ourselves and for our planet. A climate transport ticket would meaningfully take the pressure off of hard pressed households across the country while also representing a radical change in how we approach climate change."