Government “procrastinating” on climate change, says Ahern

Labour TD Ciáran Ahern has said that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are “procrastinating” on climate change.

The Labour climate spokesperson was speaking after the World Meteorological Organisation confirmed that human-induced climate change reached new extremes in 2024, and January’s Storm Éowyn was proof that the government are not prepared for the effects of climate change.

The Dublin South-West TD said, “the warning from the WMO could not be starker—climate change is accelerating, and some of the damage is now irreversible.”

“The Climate Change Advisory Council has also sounded the alarm, warning that Ireland is woefully unprepared for future extreme weather events. But what is the government doing? Dragging its heels, relying on climate-denying independents, and failing to take decisive action to protect communities.”

“Scientists, experts, and communities are all telling us the same thing—climate risks are accelerating, and we are not ready. Yet Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continue to procrastinate.”

With the Greens out of government and the government beholden to rural independents, who were elected on anti-green platforms, Ahern said that tackling climate change “requires political will and serious investment, not more empty words.”

Ahern said, “the climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time. It threatens the future of our planet, our homes, our economy, and our way of life.”

“Every year we delay, the cost of inaction rises, and the burden falls hardest on ordinary people. While families and businesses struggle with flooding, droughts, and extreme weather, this government dithers.”

“The end of the fossil fuel era is long overdue. We need a rapid and just transition—one that protects workers, future-proofs our economy, and delivers a sustainable future for all.”

“Only the state has the deep pockets and the responsibility to take this on. The private sector alone cannot deliver the scale of change required—we need real leadership from the government.”

Labour’ success in local, European and Dáil elections last year largely came at the expense of the Greens (seats such as Dublin South-West, Dublin Fingal West, and Dublin Central saw swings from Greens to Labour) and Labour are now looking to take up the mantle as the Irish party with climate politics at its core.

“Labour is calling for a renewed sense of urgency. We need annual carbon budgets that actually mean something, a national climate adaptation plan that prepares us for worsening extreme weather, and a just transition that prioritises people and communities. There can be no more excuses. The time for action is now,” Ahern said.

Ahern’s comments echo similar comments from Green leader Roderic O’Gorman, who said that the government have hit “snooze” on their climate responsibilities now that the Greens are out of government.

Last week, O’Gorman said, “we have whiplash from how quickly the foot has been taken off the pedal since January.”

“Right at the moment that all the climate signs are worse than expected, our new coalition either can’t agree, doesn’t get it or doesn’t care. We can’t afford this kind of dithering,” the Dublin West TD said.