Chai Brady
Trócaire Executive Director Eamonn Meehan 
“Bold steps” are needed before Ireland closes the gap between its climate change commitments and its performance, overseas development charity Trócaire said following the release of an embarrassing government memo.
Supporting bills that encourage divestment from fossil fuels and the banning of their extraction will see Ireland move from “laggard to leader” according to the Executive Director of Trócaire, Eamonn Meehan.
Pointing to their work overseas, he said that the effects of climate change is already being felt hardest in the poorest countries around the world.
“In East Africa today, persistent drought is devastating millions of lives. We are working on a daily basis with communities in many of the poorest countries to support them to adapt to the changes climate change is bringing,” he said.
Progress
However, this comes as a Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) memo, obtained by the Sunday Business Post, stated that “it would appear that almost no progress has been made on an appraisal-based, prioritised and integrated view of how to meet 2020 and 2030 climate target”.
The memo was responding to an ongoing project being undertaken by the National Economic and Social Council – an advisory body to the Taoiseach.
Mr Meehan pointed to France, which has passed legislation banning the extraction of fossil fuels, saying that: “Ireland can make its own historic contribution by ensuring the swift progress of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill, as well as supporting two other Bills to be debated over the coming weeks which aim to prohibit the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels in Ireland.”
