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LAST UPDATE | 3 May 2020
HEALTH MINISTER SIMON HARRIS has told TheJournal.ie the Taoiseach “was very clear” on the 7% yearly emissions reduction, and Fine Gael is up for talks on how it can be achieved.
Harris’ comments come as increased pressure has been placed on political parties to form a government, as it was revealed that some of the Covid-19 pandemic measures for businesses will require new legislation.
“I do hope we can form a new government in this country. The current government is working as hard as it possibly can, but it’s not a sustainable position for an awful lot longer.
“Ireland does need a government, in my view with a Dáil majority, so we can get normal parliamentary work underway so that we have an opportunity to explore legislation on a range of matters. And so that you can also have a clear understanding as to who the government is, who the opposition is and the benefit of that in terms of scrutiny as well,” he said.
The Greens Party’s parliamentary party members are due to resume talks later today on whether or not they will enter government formation talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
The Greens’ pre-condition of only entering a government committed to a 7% reduction in carbon emissions has emerged as a potential deal-breaker.
“I fully respect parties need to take their own time and reach their own decisions. That’s not for me to comment on but my very clear view is Ireland does need a new government,” said the minister.
I really hope the Greens do accept the offer to engage with the leader of my party and the leader for Fianna Fáil. I think that would be a place where an awful lot of detail could be worked through.
Harris said every party has policies, but if they are to enter into government is it their job to begin to outline “how you make that policy a reality”.
He said it takes a lot of working through details, but “we’re up for doing it”.
“We’re up for having really constructive engagement on it, the Taoiseach was very clear on the 7% targets. If there is way of doing it, let’s sit down, let’s talk about how we get there. But we do need to sit down and talk,” he concluded.
Urgency to pass new legislation
Announcing a new suite of business supports yesterday, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that tax liability measures and credit guarantee scheme will both require legislation – putting pressure on parties to form a government.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s This Week programme today, Donohoe said that those pieces of legislation will have to be passed by June or early July, so a new government would have to be formed by then.
“Well, from my point of view, if I look at legislation that I believe will need to be enacted by the Oireachtas in relation to how we manage tax liabilities and the warehousing and also putting in place a credit guarantees scheme for new landing, which I believe could be, and will be needed in the second half of 2020.
“I think as we move towards June and into the early part of July. I’m reasonably certain we’re going to have to have those pieces of legislation passed,” Donohoe said.
The “warehousing” of tax liability for 1 year after that business begins trading again, means that no debt enforcement action will be taken by Revenue, and no interest will be charged on that ‘warehoused’ debt.
The SME Credit Guarantee Scheme aims to encourage additional lending to small to medium businesses (from 10 to 100 employees) by offering a partial government guarantee to banks against losses on qualifying loans to small businesses.
On Friday’s Late Late Show, Varadkar said he hoped another election could be avoided as he expressed a willingness to meet the Greens’ carbon emissions target.
He said he was keen to meet the 7% target but said it had to be done with the buy-in of the farming and business communities.
Varadkar, who said he did not think a new government will be formed until June at the earliest, said Ireland’s economic recovery from Covid-19 could be “green not brown”.
- With reporting from Adam Daly
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Anythings better than the constant rain! Gardens like a swamp add in a labrador, two cats and cream tiles
Ohh I hear u Susan LLyod my Floors are destroyed 2dogs and a cat
A mop and its grand. It’s when they jump on the bed with muddy paws…
Dogs shouldn’t be allowed in the house.
You shouldn’t be allowed in the house.
I love pure winter days.. really cold n frosty in d morn with the Sun in the afternoon.. Bliss
Perfect weather for getting out and climbing a few mountains.
Are you lot mental
No doubt they will be out in force, hill walkers I mean and the emergency services stretched to their limits once more.
With a hint of napalm in the mornings? lol.
I don’t find your comment funny, people can die on the mountains and families are left to deal with the heartbreak.
Currently climbing a mountain now.
Surprised you have coverage !
Yeah break / sprain your leg on the ice, needlessly call out rescue services & put more lives ar risk.
Sturdy set of boots and a modicum of cop on and you’ll be fine.
I would suggest Meindl boots.
Bit pricy. I paid €240 for mine 6 years ago but their going strong.
Snowball. You wont get that in Ireland slush, roads impassable, no sand, ask the Government and they will say “we are ready” the Hospitals will be even mire overcrowded with People falling.
A nice Spring day would suit better.
*more*
You musnt be having much fun on your hike if you’re on your phone checking out The Journal !!!
Thought the whole point of hiking was getting away from it all ???
Yeah but I was instagramming to prove I was climbing or else it would be a waste.
I believe that
Ya wouldn’t be long getting frostbit
Hopefully a cold snap will kill off the bugs making people sick
Bleedin bitter it is
Grand auld stretch in the evenings though
Its beginning to feel a bit like a New Year
And there will still be hero’s in shorts .
I already miss our 15 degrees winter.
If you were in Athlone you would not be saying that
Aurora Borealis?! At this time of year?!? In this part of the country!?
Located ENTIRELY in your kitchen?
Yes
May I see it?
No.
Steamed hams all round!
Too warm.
Minus 20 and we would have lovely ski slopes in Connemara.
Like Austria and Switzerland.
We are nearer the North Pole than they are.
Damned warm Atlantic is stopping us from having ski-slopes.
I read that as Adam West
Adam West is stopping you from having ski slopes?
So all that flood water is going to freeze? Next week special in Aldi, Ice skates just €20
Hopefully it will help dry the place up.
Weeeeee… O its frozen lol.
Wow…MINUS 5…is that like colder than minus 5.
This is exactly what is required and has been for a long time, as mild temperatures are the reason for the flooding…and yes it is January so it is still winter..doh!!
Second bellybutton weather guys!
Stibby ??
Ahhhh got you now!!
I was hoping i wouldn’t have to explain myself lol
At least it will be dry!
IN JANUARY?
Should be March / April time lol.
Roll on “Jasus it’s freezin’ but at least it’s dry”
Let it go let it gooo hahahaha
Elsa are you at it again !!
Basted Fianna fáil
Its Ireland we’re living in. This is normal January weather. If you expect anything else you’re living in the wrong country.
I blame the Government !
Irish weather – no idea how ye stick it. Nice & warm here today in Brisbane. About 28°C I’d say. Can’t handle the cold any more.
Time for a trip to the canaries,I’ve alway said it ,”if the canaries were only an hours flight away,and had the same good weather, there’d be no one left in Ireland ” damp arthritis that goes with living in this country.
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