A high-ranking Green party member has today taken issue with remarks made by Kerry independent TD Michael Healy which claimed that the Green party were holding Fine Geal and Fianna Fáil hostage over the introduction of the Climate Action Bill.
The claims come on the back of mixed reactions today across parts of rural Ireland in relation to the Climate Action Bill being passed in the Dáil last night.
TD's voted the landmark legislation through by a large majority of 129 votes to 10.
All parties supported the bill, with opposition coming from a number of independents. Local Independent TD’s Marian Harkin and Thomas Pringle voted in favour of the bill.
The bill will now go to the Seanad, and if passed, would set into law ambitious targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
It’s no secret the introduction of this bill was a major bargaining chip used by the green party prior to them entering government along with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Kerry Independent TD, Michael Healy Rae believes the Climate Action Bill will disadvantage rural Ireland, farmers and those suffering from fuel poverty.
The new legislation aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Deputy Healy Rae feels others will suffer to keep the Greens happy:
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Dr Bláithín Gallagher the National Coordinator of the Green Party. She points to the overall majority which passed the climate bill last night as evidence that the entire country is now more environmentally aware.
The former Sligo Leitrim General election candidate has challenged the outspoken Kerry Deputy to provide an alternative solution:
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