Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a global problem. For example, say grain farmers here moved over to afforestation, became carbon sinks rather than carbon sources and we balanced the books to become carbon neutral. Last week with the snow, our fondness of bread was a national joke. We also have thriving brewing and distilling industries. We will need grain to sustain those industries. What if the grain comes from Russia by rail, road and boat? Could that carbon footprint be greater than the sequestration from new forestry? If each country balances its books, then the world problem is solved. If we stop producing beef, however, the English must source theirs from South America. If one considers the size of the carbon footprint of beef from South America, would it not be better to leave us to produce it as efficiently as we possibly can?

There is a big movement to change and, apparently, veganism will solve the whole problem. However, take the difference between having a steak dinner and an avocado salad. The avocado probably has a far greater carbon footprint than the steak. This is not just an Irish problem. What are the witnesses’ proposals in this regard?