After a winter of what seemed like endless rain and flooding, we are now living through another reminder of the danger we are in. During the final week of June and first week of July, record-breaking extreme heat disrupted daily life throughout Europe, overwhelming healthcare systems and killing at least 1,300 people.

In Ireland, record temperatures were recorded at four weather stations around the country, with Athenry in Co Galway hitting 32.1 degrees in June. Further extreme high temperatures are forecast for the rest of this week.

And the Government’s response? To signal its apparent determination to dismantle the strongest legal mechanism we have to fight climate change – the Climate Act.

The Government will shortly pass – with little opportunity for debate and amendment – two Bills which specifically disapply section 15 of the Climate Act: the Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill and the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill. Section 15, recently described by the Supreme Court as a “climate sense check”, requires public bodies to perform their functions, insofar as practicable, in a manner consistent with Ireland’s climate objectives and plans.

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These Bills are not consistent with Ireland’s climate objectives and plans. The infrastructure and actions they permit will undoubtedly increase emissions. The Gas Reserve Bill will allow for the development of a........

© The Irish Times