The Green Party has said it doesn’t know whether to “laugh or cry” after Fianna Fáil revealed a new-found interest in climate action this morning

Details of Fianna Fáil’s climate action plans were revealed in this morning’s media but have been greeted with a rueful response from Green Party TDs who spent much of the five years battling hostility from its government partner over much-needed measures. 

Green Party Minister Ossian Smyth said that while it’s always positive to see a party taking an interest in climate action, it was astonishing to hear such new-found enthusiasm from a party which had to be dragged “kicking and screaming” on so many environmental issues.

“The last government nearly collapsed because Fianna Fáil wouldn’t agree to the €3.15bn Climate and Nature Fund even though it will help businesses and state bodies cut emissions while also cutting their energy bills. Last week, with Fine Gael, they blocked a plan coming to cabinet that would allow businesses start preparing for how the money could be spent from 2026,” Minister Smyth said. 

Despite the party’s sudden interest in wind energy, Fianna Fail delayed approval for the North-South Interconnector by insisting on repeated reviews of the project. Many of their representatives also spread fear about the vital Nature Restoration Law, with Barry Cowen describing it as “cultural imperialism”. 

Minister Smyth said he was surprised at Fianna Fáil’s suggestion of demoting energy to a junior ministry from its current position at the cabinet table as a core part of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications’ portfolio. 

“The transition to renewable energy is probably the most important element of the Minister for Environment’s duties. It baffles me as to why you would demote it,” he said. 

Minister Smyth said he believed voters are in no doubt that the Green Party is the only party in government that prioritises climate action, nature restoration and investment in public transport. Thanks to the Green Party’s role in government, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to their lowest level in over 30 years, a new bus route is opening every week in rural Ireland and the amount of litter is falling dramatically thanks to the new Deposit Return Scheme. 

“Every other party loves to talk about climate action and stick a few wind turbines on their manifestos but when push comes to shove, the environment and public transport will not be given priority in the next government if the Greens aren’t in there. The others will always find reasons not to act,” he said.