Gormley missing in action yet again, as Dail debates climate change
Issued : Thursday 3 July, 2008
Statement by Joanna Tuffy TD
The absence of Environment Minister John Gormley from the Dail today for a debate on climate change is baffling to say the least.
The Greens are constantly going on about how they are changing attitudes towards climate change, giving the impression that they and they alone can be trusted to deliver in this regard. It is mystifying therefore that Environment Minister John Gormley, drum-beater in chief for the Green Party, did not see fit to turn up for the debate today, on a day when the Labour Party was in a position to put forward no fewer than four contributors.
Unfortunately Minister Gormley has a track-record of not turning up in the Dail. Just last week the Dail was voting on significant changes to the planning regulations. These were changes which Minister Gormley himself had proposed, and yet he didn't do the House the courtesy of being present for the vote.
Climate change is a vital but complex issue and it needs to be the subject of proper debate. When the Oireachtas is debating the issue, Minister Gormley has a duty to give it his full and undivided attention.
