Decision on EU car emissions deal postponed

A decision on introducing strict European Union rules on car emissions has been postponed following a meeting in Brussels.

After five years of lengthy negotiations, the EU was expected to finalise agreement on introducing a new carbon dioxide limit of 95g/km, as an average across the EU fleet, by the year 2020.

However, Ireland had come under what was described as "tremendous pressure from Germany" to prevent the passing of stricter rules on emissions.

It is understood that Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Taoiseach Enda Kenny about the matter yesterday to outline concerns that the measures were too restrictive on Germany's luxury car sector.

An EU source had urged Irish diplomats, who were chairing their last meeting of the Irish EU presidency, not to "give in" to the German pressure.

An Irish presidency source said that several countries had requested more time to consider the proposal, and this was a "relatively normal procedure".

Greenpeace Europe put a very different interpretation on the outcome, saying: "Chancellor Merkel has shown that she's not afraid to hijack democratic processes and bully other governments to pamper a few high-end car-makers."

On Monday, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan predicted that what he called "final endorsement by member states" would take place today.

Mr Hogan had said: "This agreement clearly represents a win-win for climate, consumers, innovation and jobs and provides another important step towards a competitive, low-carbon economy."

Greg Archer from the European Climate Foundation, which strongly backs the proposal, earlier said he believed Germany had exerted a lot of pressure on Portugal and the Netherlands, with Ireland coming under Germany's spotlight this week.

Mr Archer said he felt the deal could still go through, with Italy very vocal in its support, but it was currently unclear whether heavyweights, such as France and the UK, would back the Italian position.

He dismissed Irish presidency suggestions that more time might be required to consider the deal, given that a tentative agreement had been reached with the European Parliament last Monday.

Mr Archer said that delaying an agreement at this stage of negotiations was "very unusual", but that he suspected Germany hoped, if a deal could not be reached today, it could secure what is called a blocking majority later in the year given Croatia will join the EU in July and appears supportive of Germany's position.

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