'More attention needed' for carbon emissions in Ireland

Carbon emissions in Ireland are not going to reach set targets if more actions aren't taken to tackle the issue, a government minister has claimed.

A forthcoming review on the situation set to be published by the Environmental Protection Agency will show that the country has hit problems with lowering its carbon emissions, minister for environment John Gormley said yesterday.

The problems lie in meeting targets within the Kyoto period, considering much of Dublin's new transport systems have not yet been completed, he claimed.

"The measures are there in the Department of Transport's Sustainable Transport Strategy, what I am concerned about is a matter of timetabling," Mr Gormley told the Irish Times.

Mr Gormley also said that for buses and bicycles to become more popular, buses must be timely and more efficient, while cycling lanes and routes need to be safer for commuters.

Dubliners working for large firms bid a temporary farewell to their cars this month, embarking upon a walk to work scheme designed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city.