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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Wilson attacks government stance | Wilson attacks government stance |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government is promoting the idea climate change is man-made to justify high taxes, the environment minister has said. | The government is promoting the idea climate change is man-made to justify high taxes, the environment minister has said. |
| Sammy Wilson was appearing before a session of the Assembly Environment Committee which passed a vote of no confidence in him in January. | Sammy Wilson was appearing before a session of the Assembly Environment Committee which passed a vote of no confidence in him in January. |
| Members objected to his decision to block a government advertisement campaign on climate change. | Members objected to his decision to block a government advertisement campaign on climate change. |
| Mr Wilson has said he does not believe that climate change is man-made. | Mr Wilson has said he does not believe that climate change is man-made. |
| "I can understand why they (the government) want to get this subliminal message over," he told the committee. | "I can understand why they (the government) want to get this subliminal message over," he told the committee. |
| "That's the only way the government is going to succeed in getting people to accept the draconian levels of taxation which are coming down the road." | |
| Lisa Fagan of Friends of the Earth in Northern Ireland said it "beggared belief" to have an environment minister who opposed action on climate change. | |
| "Most of Northern Ireland's contribution to climate change comes from housing, energy and transport - areas that are thankfully outside Sammy Wilson's control," he said. | |
| "Urgent action is needed by other ministers to slash emissions from these sectors. | |
| 'Carbon footprint' | |
| "However, Sammy Wilson is making Northern Ireland a laughing stock on the international stage - first minister Peter Robinson must call time on his disastrous appointment." | |
| The Green Party said Mr Wilson's performance before the environment committee was further proof that the minister was "not fit to lead the DoE". | |
| Steven Agnew said: "The minister has admitted that he does not care about his carbon footprint despite the fact that one of the responsibilities of the DoE is to 'protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations'. | |
| "He admits that his views are in contradiction with his department's responsibilities, the UK government and Europe, yet he remains convinced of his position. This demonstrates arrogance in the face of substantial evidence and world opinion." |