‘Sham’ policy blamed for 1m tonne rise in gases

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche last night admitted he was worried by a one million tonne surge in the amount of greenhouse gases Ireland is pumping into the atmosphere.

However, Mr Roche dismissed claims by the Green Party that he is guilty of “crimes” against the planet, insisting the Government was battling to do its environmental duty while boosting the economy.

The minister claimed the delayed National Climate Change Plan had been put back to Easter due to the complexity of the Irish situation, not a lack of urgency.