The Environment Minister remains hopeful Government will reach agreement on agriculture emissions targets today.
It comes amid fears no deal will be reached on emissions targets before the Government breaks up for summer.
The three Government leaders last night failed to reach agreement on targets for the agriculture sector after two hours of talks.
The Climate Change Advisory Council has said the sector needs to make cuts of at least 22% to 30% if Ireland is to meet its climate goals.
The Green Party is pushing for the target to be set towards the higher end of the scale while backbenchers from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want a less ambitious target.
The meeting of the three Government leaders last night was told more time was needed to assess how strict the targets should be.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet today, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said he's still hopeful of reaching an agreement.
“We can’t afford to wait; We can’t afford inaction.”
Eamon Ryan says he’s hopeful Government will reach agreement on agriculture emissions targets today. #ClimateChangehttps://t.co/FaDm4baip8 pic.twitter.com/jAXbFZz5Sy
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 27, 2022
The talks are set to resume this morning ahead of the final Cabinet meeting before the summer break.
Meanwhile, rural TDs and Senators form the Government parties are facing criticism from the Rural Independent Group – which claims they voted to give the Greens Carte Blanche to cut agricultural emissions.
This morning, the Taoiseach said the talks are “not easy”.
“There are challenges; it is not easy.”
The Taoiseach refuses to be drawn on whether an agriculture emissions deal will be struck today.https://t.co/FaDm4baip8 https://t.co/E2VFGo7aTC
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 27, 2022
The Environmental Protection Agency has already warned that “all sectors need to do significantly more” to reduce emissions if Ireland is to meet its emissions targets.
If the agriculture targets are set towards the lower end of the scale, other sectors will have to take up the slack.
One option under consideration is tougher targets for transports, which could force families to abandon their second car.
A decision on all six sectors was originally expected in mid-July.
