PR041201E.Budget.Environment.htm | Ciaran Cuffe

Press Release 1 December 2004

Green Party Says Environmental Concerns Ignored in Budget 2004

The Green Party has accused the Government of ignoring Environmental issues in this years Budget.

The Green Party's Environment Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD has stated:
"We had hoped that the Minister would reduce taxes on labour by increasing taxes on pollution in this budget, but this has not happened.

"Groups such as Combat Poverty favoured Carbon Taxes on finite resources but this has not occurred, even though they would have had a positive impact on the economy and the environment

"The tax incentives for multi-storey car park have continued, yet there is no sign of any increase in capital funding for public transport.

"The Government is set to spend 900 million Euro on Decentralisation over the next five years, even though their plans are at odds with the National Spatial Strategy.
ENDS