'We have no choice' - Micheál Martin denies pursuit of carbon taxes is only to satisfy Greens

The Taoiseach was responding to accusations from Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae

Mr Martin was responding to Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae (pictured) who claimed that the planned increase in carbon tax, due to be introduced in May, is the "price that the country and the people of Ireland, young and old, have to pay so that the Taoiseach will have the continued support of the Green Party to remain Taoiseach". Photo: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

The Taoiseach has strongly denied that the Government is only pursuing carbon taxes and other climate measures to keep Eamon Ryan and the Green Party happy.

In a passionate Dáil contribution, Micheál Martin said "climate change is existential" and "we have a duty to the younger generations, to our children and to our children’s children not to stand still now, not to deflect and not to postpone".