The Green Party has accused the Government of being 'clearly illiterate' in relation to energy and transport policy.
In the face of increasing oil and gas costs, the Green Party has launched a campaign to switch to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biofuel. It attacked the Government's failure to develop or invest in this sector.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent described the Government 'not as a government, but as an agency for fossil fuel companies'.
The party's Spokesperson on Energy, Eamon Ryan, called for the introduction of a carbon tax. He said €800 million in revenue could be raised annually from a carbon tax and this could be used to lower labour taxes and VAT and increase social welfare contributions.
He also called for capital grants to finance indigenous renewable energy resources, in particular for the woodchip heating system.
Mr Ryan said supporting indigenous industries that create renewable energy would benefit Irish forestry and farmers, as well as create new, clean sources of fuel and heat.
He also challenged Minister Michael McDowell to debate the issues of carbon tax and investment in public transport with the Greens.
Mr Ryan accused Minister McDowell of using 'scare tactics' by saying the Green Party planned to increase taxes and build less roads.
