Cuffe Calls on Bruton to speed up Climate Action

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On the eve of the launch of a new Climate Action Plan for Dublin, Green Party Councillor Ciarán Cuffe who co-chairs Dublin City Council’s Climate Committee said:“Local Government needs funding and support to deliver on climate plans. Much of what is being proposed will pay for itself, but it requires support from Central Government to make it happen. Investment in upgrading housing will tackle fuel poverty among low-income families. A cycle network for Dublin will tackle traffic congestion and improve people’s health, and LED street lights will save the city money. Sadly the Fine Gael led Government is failing to show the leadership we need to make this a reality.“We can’t do this alone. It requires an all of Government approach, and not just one Minister. Minister Bruton must sit down with Minister Murphy, Minister Ross, and the Taoiseach to take a whole government approach to tackling the most serious issue of our time. It is time to act. It requires support. It requires vision, and it requires funding. We know what our national obligations are, and we must back that up with action at a local level. I am delighted that today we are launching the Climate Action Regional Office for Dublin. It has a key role to play in delivering climate action, and that’s why we are here today. We’ll play our part in Dublin City, and we need your help as well as citizens to deliver on our climate targets.“Fourteen years ago the Green Party held a Civic Forum on Climate Change in this room. Those who attended called on Government to commence a radical new programme to tackle change. Back then we agreed that we are willing to lead, rather than follow the international response to the Climate Change crisis that faces mankind. We need that leadership today."Councillor Claire Byrne co-chair of Dublin City Council's Climate Committee said: "This is a great opportunity to learn about Dublin City Council's Climate Action Plans, and find out how to save money and reduce you and your family's carbon footprint. A lot of hard work from our staff has gone into preparing this Plan, and we now want the public to have their say. Over the next five weeks we want you to read the plans and then tell us what need to be done by Dublin City Council to reduce our greenhouse gases and get ready for the changes that Climate Change will bring to Dublin City."We need your help to tackle rising emissions and ensure Ireland and Dublin plays its part in tackling climate change. We want to make it easier to walk and cycle around the city. We want extra buses too. We also want to take the housing that Dublin City Council owns, and bring them up to an A rating, so that our tenants don’t suffer from fuel poverty. We want more green space, trees and planting that absorbs greenhouse gases, and that reduce the impact of flooding.Follow the debate with the hashtag #Councils4ClimateActionIssued and updated 15th February 2019

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February 15, 2019

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