Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said a "complete pivot in transport" is needed to help achieve Ireland's climate targets.

However, Government sources have rejected reports that one in five cars would have to be taken off the road by 2030 under new plans. Instead, it said there would need to be a 20% reduction in the number of kilometres travelled by cars by 2030.

Mr Ryan said: "We do need to switch towards much more public transport, much more active travel - but also reduce the need for travel."

"We're using things like changes that are happening in remote working, in Town Centre First strategies, in building back in the centre of our cities so there's not necessarily everyone having to do a long commute. A complete pivot in transport is what is needed. Each sector has to step up to the plate. Agriculture much less than others; agriculture is about a quarter of the emissions [that] have to reduce. In transport it's about half, in energy it's up to 75%."

Minister Ryan also said that transport was probably "the most challenging" sector to get right.

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Brian Cooke, director general of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, said there is too little public transport to persuade people to give up their cars.

"We do have a public transport deficit, and if you look at last year's Climate Action Plan, the primary focus on the transport side is to put a large amount of money into public transport over the next ten years," he said.

"But it won't solve the problem for everybody. Not everyone lives in Dublin or Cork, Galway or Limerick."

The Government is putting the final touches to the Climate Action Plan targets for next year. The plan is due to be signed off by the Cabinet this week.

Government sources have suggested the transport sector may need an additional €10bn over the next ten years to meet its carbon reduction targets.