Ahern: Protecting environment part of FF plans

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has claimed that protecting Ireland's environment and facing up to the challenge of climate change globally will be an essential part of Fianna Fáil's plans over the next five years.

Mr Ahern was talking up his green credentials at his party's youth conference in Galway this evening.

He told members that he wants to put environmental sustainability at the heart of all future development at home.

Mr Ahern said that air quality meets 100% of required standards, that our water is cleaner and waste management practices were transformed.

He also that Ireland will meet its Kyoto targets - even to the point of using state money to buy carbon credits.

The Fianna Fáil leader added that his cabinet colleagues Dick Roche and Noel Dempsey are working hard on new national climate change and energy strategies.

The goals will be ambitious, he said, and will include more use of wind and sea power; power stations that work off bio-fuels and getting farmers involved in energy production.

The Taoiseach said his party will make sure that protecting the environment and the economy "go hand in hand".