The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency has said she is disappointed that the Government is not going to bring in a 'green tax' on fossil fuels, in line with its climate change strategy.
At a conference in Portlaoise, Dr Mary Kelly said the country now faced a 'great challenge' in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide it produces in order to avoid large penalties under the Kyoto Agreement.
She said the agency was watching with interest what proposals the Government would develop as part of its review of the climate change strategy released in 2000.
Dr Kelly also clashed with the Automobile Association over its contention that private car owners were not to blame for transport emissions being the fastest growing producer of Co2. She said private cars were part of the problem.
Earlier at the conference, the AA claimed that private cars are being blamed unfairly for Ireland's over-production of greenhouse gases, which cause global warming.
Earlier this week a survey found that Arctic ice is disappearing due to global warming. The survey warned that polar bears could be extinct by the end of the century.
Transport produces 18% of Ireland's greenhouse gases, but AA spokesman Conor Faughnan said catalytic converters have eliminated the majority of pollutants.
Mr Faughnan also said that, in relation to carbon dioxide production, the major contributors are road haulage, light commercial vans, rail and shipping.
He added that fuel taxes did absolutely nothing to limit demand or improve the environment, and that car taxation should be based on emission levels and not engine size.
