You know an election is near when you see backbench politicians challenging their own party policies.

This week, a group of rural Fine Gael TDs and senators broke ranks to call for a major change in the Government’s climate change policy.

Offaly TD Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Cork senator Tim Lombard and Mayo senator Michelle Mulherin, who are all members of the Government’s climate action committee, called on the Government to follow the New Zealand approach and treat agriculture differently when it comes to carbon emissions targets.

I’m sure ministers Bruton and Creed were delighted with their colleagues challenging the party policy on climate change on the eve of an election.