Details of the draft programme for government agreed between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil have emerged as Green Party members gather in Dublin to vote on a coaltion deal.
Among the commitments are the introduction of new targets to cut emissions and a carbon tax; increased investment in renewable energy; an analysis of the transport sector based on environmental concerns; increased spending on education and improvement of services for those with special needs; reform of local government and a pledge to ensure gardaí have the resources to prevent extraordinary renditions within the State.
On the environment, it includes, among a range of measures, the setting of a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by three per cent per year, the mandating of the Department of the Environment to publish an annual report setting out progress in reaching the targets and review the role of the Environmental Protection Agency. It would establish a Climate Change Commission, introduce a Noise Bill and require offsetting for all official air travel.
On energy, the new government would dramatically accelerate the growth of renewable energy sources in the electricity, heat and transport sectors. A third of all electricity would come from renewable sources by 2020. Other measures include investment in wave and hydro power and improving energy efficiency standards in new and existing buildings.
On transport, there would be multi-criteria analysis of all transport projects to take into account environmental factors on a whole project basis. A new National Transport Regulator would be appointed after the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority. The Government would also expand and improve Luas services in Dublin, reopen the Western Railway Corridor from Ennis to Claremorris, open the Navan rail line and improve other named services around the country. It would also have feasibility studies into Luas-style light railways in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford completed within two years.
In the field of education, the Government would commit an additional €350 million per year for education, provide each child with special needs with the right to an individual education, improve services for autistic children and ensure road safety is taught in schools. An extra 4,000 adult literacy places would be created.
A Commission on Taxation would be established to examine the balance of how taxes are collected, the value of tax reliefs and the introduction of environmental taxes, changes in VAT on environmental goods and services. A Carbon Levy would be introduced during the lifetime of the Government.
On social partnership, environmental organisations would become social partners.
On extraordinary rendition, the document says the Government is completely opposed to the practice and will aid the Garda in ensuring rendition does not occur in Ireland. Specialised training on those statutes will be given to gardai and whatever other resources are required will be provided to An Garda Siochana "in order to ensure effective protection for the dignity of all persons within or passing through the State".
The Government would establish an independent Electoral Commission to take responsibility for electoral administration and compiling a new electoral register. This body would take over the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission in relation to electoral expenditure.
It would reform local government to make it more transparent and more responsive to the public it serves. A Green Paper on local government reform will be published within six months. This paper will examine the balance of power at local level between managers and elected representatives, the issue of directly-elected mayors and the creation of town councils in towns that have shown significant growth in recent years and the provision of quality customer service.
There would be a directly elected mayor for Dublin by 2011 and a review of local government legislation to ensure that the decision-making processes in local authorities are rebalanced in favour of elected representatives. It would also ensure there is a buffer period before civil servants or local government officials can be employed in related areas of the private sector.
Around 500 Green Party members are meeting in Dublin today for a secret ballot on the proposals. A two-thirds majority of voters is needed for the programme for government to be endorsed.
