Greens accuse Roche of pandering to cement industry

The Green Party is accusing Minister for the Environment Dick Roche of pandering to the building industry by rejected proposals for the use of environmentally-friendly cement in public projects.

The Irish Times says documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed the Department of the Environment was initially in favour of the move.

However, it changed its mind following lobbying from the traditional cement industry.

Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe said today so-called 'green cement' could help Ireland significantly reduce its carbon dioxide emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocol.

He said he was disappointed with Mr Roche's stance, which he said was out of touch with the environmental movement and the trends in building technology.

"It seems Dick Roche has caved in to the lobby groups once again," he said.