Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are also restrictions on Natura sites which should perhaps be re-examined to permit native woodland species to be developed. They have been prevented. A great deal of the additional requirement could be dealt with that way. It would not necessarily involve commercial afforestation but one could certainly add to the forest estate if the rules on protected zones - Natura sites - were changed. It is very simple. It might be the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is the larger owner, in collaboration with Coillte, that ended up adding forests, given the competition for land. It is the unenclosed definition that prevents almost all afforestation in designated sites.

We have had a fair thrashing out of the main issues involved. The committee is trying to inform itself on this matter so it can provide suggestions to the Government on carbon emissions.

I took on board some of the points raised about wind energy. I believe it has a critical and strategic part to play in this matter, subject to proper planning procedures and due process, as well as having regard for the local communities where wind turbines will be set up. This issue, however, has to be examined logically and sensibly.

What was presented to the committee today is very valuable. The point about 200 million tonnes of carbon sequestration really struck me. The recent agreement on the review of the Common Agricultural Policy was based on green principles. There are ecological focus areas, as well as green and environmental practices in Pillars 1 and 2. Whether one accepts climate change or not, agricultural policy is all based on a green common sense to work in harmony with the environment while ensuring sustainable food production.

For Deputy Boyd Barrett’s information, the thinking green concept is about giving a monetary value for the percentage of land in designated areas apart from the carbon sequestration value. If the European Commission claims Ireland’s emissions have grown, we have to be able to argue that through land use we are actually reducing our net emissions. The committee is trying to collate such information to provide a report for the Government.

Whether we agree with it or not, last week’s report from the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will put international focus back on this subject. We will have to play our part in defending ourselves. I thank the delegation for attending the committee and those members who remained for the entire meeting.