Fianna Fáil will not agree to an arbitrary target to cut Ireland's carbon dioxide emissions, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said.
Responding to demands that Ireland reduce CO2 levels by 3 per cent a year for 10 years, the Minister said: "I don't see the logic of plucking a figure out of the air.
"If you are going to introduce targets that are uniquely severe, you have to know what impact they will have on foreign investment.
"The Government has to be responsible, has to be balanced. That is the difference between being in power and being in opposition," said Mr Roche.
He was speaking as Fianna Fáil launched its environmental package for the general election, promising billions for water treatment systems and higher "green" standards.
New homes would use electricity 40 per cent more efficiently, while they would also be better built, better insulated and enjoy better soundproofing.
Every "green" target set by Fianna Fáil in 1997 had been achieved, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey said.
Recycling rates have improved considerably over the last five years - up to one-third of all waste produced - but more waste is now being produced per head.
Some of the waste will have to be incinerated and politicians who oppose it are misleading their electorate, Mr Roche said.
"They are not being truthful. We have to be honest with the people.
"Some people think that there is a magic formula to getting rid of waste," he said.
Ninety per cent of rubbish should be recycled - probably within 15 years, he said: "That can't be achieved within five years. It is a very ambitious target."
Newspaper publishers, and those selling tyres, furniture and batteries should become more responsible for dealing with waste, he said.
"We have to work with industries. They know the situation. People will respond.
"Newspapers make up 60 per cent of the dry recyclables found in green bags in Dublin," Mr Roche said.
This co-operative approach had already led to the recycling of two million pieces of electrical equipment and created 300 jobs, while 12,000 tonnes of plastics used by farmers were also being collected. The cost of bin charges would be driven down by creating more competition, led by an independent waste regulator who would set down public service obligations, he added.
Once the Water Services Bill was made law, local councillors would have to ensure that water supplies were adequate before sanctioning development, he said.
State support would be given to replace all septic tanks over 15 years old, while all public water supplies would meet quality standards within five years.
Water quality problems, he said, occurred everywhere: "There was a 'boil water' notice in Sydney during the Olympics, for example," said Mr Roche.
Under the National Development Plan, more than €5 billion would be spent on 900 water schemes and waste treatment plants over the next five years.
Tougher court penalties would be imposed on those found guilty of pollution, dumping, illegal developments and other environmental crimes.
Large-scale, illegal dumping, such as that found in Wicklow, had been ended by "ruthless action" by the Government, while cross-Border dumping had been equally curbed.
The use of quad bikes and four-by-four vehicles on uplands and bogs would be restricted.
KEY TARGETS
Recycle 90% of refuse, possibly within 15 years
Cut rubbish collection charges
Spend nearly €5 billion on water and sewage treatment plants
Tougher penalties for polluters
Greater use of bio-energy crops for electricity generation
Make new Irish homes 40% more energy-efficient
Use water more efficiently
End the use of incandescent light bulbs
Reorder VRT rules to encourage use of greener cars
Extra pollution monitoring
Better safeguards for architecturally important buildings
Continue campaign to close Sellafield
