Taoiseach dismisses Greens' claim to have unique impact on climate issues
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The Taoiseach has said climate issues are “not owned” by any one political party after the Greens suggested carbon reductions will not be met by any other party.
Simon Harris said climate is now “bigger than any one party”, but added that people should not be “lectured” on the changes that will need to be implemented across various sectors in the coming years.
He said: “I think it’s really important that we do help the people, that we do this in a partnership approach, and that we never lecture people, but we engage with people to make the switch in their own lives.”
Mr Harris said the Green Party had a very “positive role” in government and the outgoing coalition had made considerable progress to reduce carbon emissions.
However, he added: “What I’m not prepared to do, is allow any one party suggest that they did it all on their own in any aspect.
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“My own party, Fianna Fáil, or the Greens, we have collective cabinet responsibility.
It comes after members of the Green Party said no coalition will meet climate targets set down unless it is in government.
The Green party leader, Roderic O’Gorman, said: “I’m not confident that, if the Greens aren’t part of the next government, whatever its makeup, I’m not confident that that progress will continue, that we will see another 7% [in carbon reductions], that we’ll see the commitment of those financial resources that are necessary to deliver these really important projects that get us our cuts, but also improve people’s quality of life as well.”
Asked about this, Mr Harris said: “Climate issues are now issues for every party. They’re issues for every person in Ireland, and they’re not issues owned by one political party.”
Separately, Mr Harris said it was “disappointing” that Mary Lou McDonald could not say whether or not she would attend an IRA funeral if elected to the office of An Taoiseach.
Mr Harris said such an action would “cause a lot of hurt to people”.
On Thursday, Ms McDonald defended the comments made during an interview on Virgin Media, saying she would possibly attend an IRA funeral if she becomes Ireland’s next taoiseach.
Mr Harris said: "When you are the taoiseach, you represent people right across this country, you represent people who are Irish in many ways across the world and across the island and I think it's very important to be always sensitive to victims."
Meanwhile, Fine Gael is due to announce on Friday its plan to revitalise and rejuvenate Dublin City centre.
Fine Gael is promising to introduce improved security measures in the city centre with increased CCTV coverage and a targeted response to reduce open drug use.
It also wants to redevelop the GPO reinforcing its role as a central landmark in Dublin and provide funding and resources to enhance the National Concert Hall.
The plans also includes a proposal to collaborate with cultural institutions to offer more late-night events and extended opening hours.
Mr Harris’ party is strongly in favour of removing the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
When it comes to safety, Fine Gael is promising to fund the recruitment of 6,000 gardaí over the next five years.
It would also produce a plan to reduce the concentration of temporary accommodation, drug treatment facilities, and other essential services in Dublin City centre.
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