Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is extremely interesting. Ireland has an afforestation programme. I understand that other countries in northern Europe may already have achieved their targets in the context of land use and land cover. We have not done so and we would be very keen to see mitigation in the context of our climate change obligations vis-à-visour Food Harvest 2020 targets in order that we might offset them against food and agricultural output production. Mr. Gumbert's point is very relevant in the context of the report we are preparing and it has clarified the position somewhat. Under the current rules, only forestry planted post-1990 is contemplated. Perhaps Mr. Barrett might be able to comment further in that regard. If our climate change obligations are amended, then land on which forestry was planted pre-1990 would also be included. In its report, the committee may recommend that the latter should be the case.