Officials ignored as Minister backs billionaire polluter
Officials ignored as Minister backs billionaire polluter - The Labour Party
Labour Climate and transport Spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has today called on the Government to urgently publish the full emissions impact of its decision to abolish the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, following confirmation from the Taoiseach that the cap will be lifted.
Deputy Ahern said Government cannot pretend this decision has no consequences for Ireland’s climate obligations, particularly in the same week the Minister for Climate admitted Ireland will miss its 2030 emissions targets by miles. He called on Government to immediately explain how it intends to offset the additional emissions and to halt the decision until full transparency and accountability are provided.
Deputy Ciarán Ahern said:
“This is a staggering decision that shows exactly who this Government listens to. When faced with a choice between its own climate officials and a billionaire polluter pushing for expansion, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael chose the polluter. Scrapping the passenger cap at Dublin Airport means more flights, more pollution and higher emissions at a time when Ireland is already dangerously off track on climate action.
“We are told repeatedly that every sector must play its part, that households, farmers and communities must change how they live and work to cut emissions. Yet when it comes to aviation, Government is letting emissions rip. There is no carbon tax on jet fuel. International aviation emissions are not properly counted. Even now, we do not have a clear picture of the emissions impact of this expansion, and Government seems content to keep it that way. Aviation cannot remain the sector that escapes scrutiny every time.
“What I want to know is simple. Where are these extra emissions going to be offset? This decision comes in the same week the Minister for Climate admitted that Ireland will not reach its 2030 climate targets. That admission alone should have forced a pause and a rethink..
“If Government is serious about climate action, it must publish the full emissions impact of abolishing the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, explain how those emissions will be accounted for, and set out exactly where equivalent cuts will be made.”