Michael Healy-Rae claims the Government has been forced to "dance to Eamon Ryan and the Green Party’s tune" when it comes to climate action.
The Kerry TD says "of course" the other coalition parties are being "held to ransom" by the Greens on the issue of climate, in return for being in power.
He was speaking after the Dáil approved the Climate Action Bill in a landslide vote last night.
Only ten independent TDs voted against the bill - including all members of Deputy Healy-Rae's own Rural Independent Group.
Tá: 128
Níl: 10
Landmark Climate Action Bill passes the Dáil with cross-party support. Next step, Seanad Éireann. pic.twitter.com/Ya1KAXIGVD— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) June 16, 2021
The bill sets out climate targets of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, and would allow for climate budgets to sort out exactly how that will happen.
However, Deputy Healy-Rae told Newstalk Breakfast that he believes the impact on farmers, rural communities and people living in fuel poverty hasn't been considered.
He said: “I’m very, very disappointed with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour and Social Democrats… who have as far as I can see let the people down.
“What happened last night was quite disgraceful. After many, many hours of committee [hearings]... a lot of amendments were put forward - over 200 of them.
“They weren’t even fully considered. It was a case of ‘this is Eamon’s way or no-one’s way.’
“Because of the way the deck of cards fell for him after the last election, he’s able to hold the other parties in such a way that they’ll do whatever he wants.”
Deputy Healy-Rae insisted he's not a climate change denier, saying he believes Government should look at "practical and sensible" measures such as removing tax from insulation products.
'Opposition was fully behind this bill'
Brian Leddin, Green Party TD For Limerick City and chair of the Oireachtas Climate Action Committee, dismissed any suggestion his party is holding others "to ransom".
He said: "The Government was fully behind this bill, but the opposition was fully behind this bill as well. It’s absolutely not true what Michael is saying there.
“Rural Ireland is not made up of one type of people, and I don’t believe Michael is speaking for the majority of people.
“Politics is like walking a tight-rope - what was critically important with this bill is that we did achieve cross-party buy-in.”
Deputy Leddin said he can't remember a piece of legislation securing such overwhelming support.
He said the approval of the bill is a "great day" for those who've wanted climate action for years, as well as for society in general.
He said it's “imperative” that lives and livelihoods are protected amid the major changes to Ireland's climate policy, and a “just transition” has to be woven into every decision.
