Environment has no place in Government’s economic agenda, says An Taisce

ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen lacks any power within a government almost solely interested in an economic agenda, a leading lobby group has claimed.

An Taisce, in a hard-hitting annual new year report, said the Government is long on rhetoric but short on action when tackling environmental issues and chairman Michael Smith said environmentalists were increasingly frustrated at the lack of action.

An Taisce is calling for more tax on diesel, the introduction of water charges and for illegal waste dumpers to be chased down and face high profile criminal prosecutions. It also backs communities in the fight against superdumps.