TDs fuming over emission failure

Opposition parties have accused the Government of "throwing in the towel" calling it a "catastrophic failure" that Ireland will not meet its 2030 emission targets.

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

OPPOSITION parties have accused the Government of "throwing in the towel" calling it a "catastrophic failure" that Ireland will not meet its 2030 emission targets.

The Government had committed to reducing carbon emissions by 51% between 2018 and 2030.

However, Minister for the Environment Darragh O'Brien has admitted this target will be missed by the "somewhat significant amount" of around 15 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

It could result in Ireland being fined up to €28billion by the European Union.