They talk about developing a Green economy but don't have the understanding as to why that makes more than just economic sense.

Government today launched a new Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the country.

The document is written in time for Minister Phil Hogan to bring to the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Conference in Brazil later this month. It has been drafted at a time when the Government is abandoning investment in public transport, promoting controversial GMO and incineration technologies, allowing the ongoing destruction of our precious bogland sites, continuing the over-exploitation of our dwindling fishing stocks, and deferring any attempt to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said today: "The actions being promoted by this Government speaks far louder than all the words contained in their new sustainability strategy. Minister Phil Hogan can dress himself up in Green all he likes, but we know that this Government has no interest in protecting the environment. If they were serious, they would be leading the economic recovery by building the public transport lines that are ready to go. If they wanted Ireland to be seen as the home of natural food, they would not be testing genetically modified potatoes. If the conservation of resources is key, then they would be planning to recycle more of our waste rather than burning it. If they are to be taken seriously they need to put our climate change legislation back centre stage."

"As well as that environmental failure this strategy also shows that they have no alternative to the 'growth at all costs' economic model that got us into our crisis in the first place. The underlying message is clear, sustainability is first and foremost about getting economic growth back to boost our public finances – we can deal with environmental protection and social progress later. The Taoiseach pays lip service to the prospects of a Green economy, but you get no sense that he has an understanding as to how that could make more than just economic sense. There is no plan to measure success differently so we might achieve full employment and prosperity in a more balanced and permanent way."

"The irony is that, by being so lacking in alternative Green thinking, they will undermine our ability to develop a new Green economy. The rest of the world can see by our actions that we don't get it or believe in it. Slowly but surely the initiative and the economic opportunity will pass to those countries that are more genuine in their attempts to pass the world on to our children in a fit state," concluded Eamon Ryan.

http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/News/MainBody,30456,en.htm