![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/2.53573337.jpg\")
Leo Varadkar has said the effects on the economy must be considered if the next government is to cut carbon emissions.<\/p>\nLeo Varadkar has said the effects on the economy must be considered if the next government is to cut carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach was speaking after the Green Party demanded a pledge for a 7% cut in annual carbon emissions to go into coalition with Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael.<\/p>\n
The two parties have tabled a framework document to a number of smaller parties to convince them to join a coalition administration.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday night, the parties sent a joint letter to the Greens addressing the 17 points the party raised about the blueprint for coalition.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar, the Fine Gael leader, said: \u201cThe Green Party are meeting today to discuss their response to our letter and it is also being shared with the Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael parliamentary party.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope they give the letter close consideration. We are very keen to enter formal talks on forming a government as soon as they are willing to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe target they set of 7% is extremely ambitious and we accept we need to be ambitious when it comes to climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be interested in talking to them about how we can achieve more ambitious targets than the current one and maybe even the 7% one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to commit to a target that can\u2019t be done. We want to understand what impact achieving that target would have on poverty and unemployment and the economy \u2013 particularly the rural one.\u201d<\/p>\n