Brexit and climate change to dominate Fine Gael party meeting
The Fine Gael parliamentary party will hold a meeting this afternoon to plan for the new Dáil term.
Brexit and climate change are two of the issues high up the agenda as government politicians gather.
The new Dáil term kicks off tomorrow with Brexit overshadowing the agenda, and the government preparing to introduce legislation to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
The issue will be discussed by cabinet ministers again tomorrow ahead of the crucial House of Commons vote on the Brexit Withdrawal deal.
Climate change will also be high on the agenda at today's meeting of TDs and Senators.
Richard Bruton has denied that increasing the carbon tax is a cash grab.
He says the measure is aimed at getting people to move away from high-carbon lifestyles.
The issue is being discussed this afternoon by Fine Gael politicians at a parliamentary party meeting.
The Climate Action Minister says increases in carbon tax won't mean people are worse off financially.
"The really important thing is that that money will be recycled back so people will either be getting a cheque in the post or getting a rebate through the social welfare and tax system," he said.
"It will encourage people to change the way they behave and that is really the challenge. If we can't get the whole of society working to achieve these carbon goals, we will simply fail."
