Green Party slam new Climate Bill

The Government's new Climate Bill has been described as a “charade” by the Green Party.

The proposed law includes the setting up of a Climate Change Advisory Committee which will suggest new environmentally friendly ideas, but it will not have the power to make direct changes.

The Greens believe without the ability to set specific targets the bill will achieve nothing.

Oisín Smith, the party's spokesperson on energy, has said the new law will be a missed opportunity.

“The obvious things they could do, would be to say we’re going insolate houses in Ireland,” said Smith.

“We are going to keep warm in their houses in the winter, instead of forcing them to burn loads of oil and gas to keep themselves warm. We’re going to set actually targets that say that future governments must meet these emission reductions every year until 2030, in line with the rest of Europe and in line with the rest of the world.

“At least we’ll keep up with America and China. At least we’ll keep up and do our share. We’ve actually passed a Climate Bill which is a charade, it’s a law that doesn’t do anything.”