Dempsey: Emissions failure

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey has admitted the Government “failed” in recent years to do enough to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Increased petrol costs, congestion charges and other road tolls may have to be introduced to curtail emissions from vehicles.

Mr Dempsey was Environment Minister from 1997 to 2002, during which time the Government signed up to the Kyoto Protocol, undertaking to significantly curtail emissions.