Hole in ozone layer ‘not caused by cans of hairspray’, claims Danny Healy-Rae

The hole in the ozone layer was caused by nuclear testing and “not by cans of hairspray or whatever”, claims Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae.

The Kerry TD, who previously denied the notion of climate change, putting rising temperatures down to God, yesterday told the Dáil that “untruths have been bandied about for many years” concerning climate change.

“They told us about the ozone layer, greenhouse gases, and cans of hairspray or whatever, but they never told us that it was nuclear testing,” he said.

Denis Naughten, minister for action on climate change, quipped that he does not have to worry about hairspray.

Mr Healy-Rae, addressing a Dáil debate on the ratification of the Paris climate change agreement, replied: “The minister and I are the same in that we have nothing on our heads to spray. Anyway, we are managing.

“They never told us that nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean 50 years ago actually caused the serious damage to the ozone layer. I am thankful it is now mending and curing.

“It has nothing to do with policies in any country in recent times.

“There was changes in the climate, way back in times when there was no industrialisation and way less animals on farms and no intensification of farming.

“Yet we had intense heat, long periods of very cold, wet weather which culminated in many lives being lost in the famine in the 1740s, caused by two years of incessant rain and extremely cold winters.”

Mr Healy-Rae said he was “very worried” about the Paris agreement, as it would have a “severe negative impact” on farmers.

“Farmers must be protected because of the consequences if the farming industry goes down,” he said. “Farming is facing a serious crisis at present. If it is impacted negatively any further, it will hurt the whole country.”

Responding, Independents4Change TD Catherine Connolly said “the Sarah Palin type of politics is over”.

She said: “That debate is gone. The debate is no longer on whether our emissions are having an effect; it is on the severity of the impact and the window of opportunity we may still have as we learn to take responsibility for our rates of emission, which are contributing to global warming.”

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he would speak to Mr Healy-Rae “later in the corridor”.

“That will be an interesting conversation,” said Mr Naughten responded. Mr Healy-Rae clarified that both TDs share a corridor in Leinster House.

Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil described the comments of Mr Healy-Rae, his constituency colleague, as “absurd and without any basis in science”.

“Deputy Healy Rae’s approach to climate change smacks of US Republican nominee, Donald Trump. However, I suspect that even Donald Trump wouldn’t want to be associated with the comments made.”