IFA President John Bryan has called on any new Government to renegotiate the
unachievable climate change targets imposed on Ireland by the EU Commission,
before revisiting the issue.

Mr Bryan was commenting on IFA’s climate change submission to the Department
of the Environment.

“Under EU law, Ireland has the strictest emission reduction targets in the
world, which were agreed by the Government at a time of economic prosperity,
with Ireland’s 20% reduction twice the European average. The ESRI have
clearly stated that these emission reduction targets are unattainable. A new
Government must now accept this and agree targets for the country which are
achievable, based on least cost to the economy and current technologies
available.”

“The luxury of aspiring to be best in class is no longer an option, when it
comes to climate change policy for Ireland. Government must prioritise job
creation, economic recovery and financial stability.”