Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before calling members I would like to put some questions to witnesses, commencing with the Department officials. The climate change advisory council published a report last December in which it criticised the plan and stated that it is not sufficient to put Ireland on a pathway to achieving its 2020 targets or long-term decarbonisation objective. Do the officials accept that criticism and, if so, what steps are they taking in that regard?

I thank the SEAI for its presentation. I think the authority is doing well in terms of completing its tasks. I have a particular interest in the retrofit pilot. During previous appearances before the committee the SEAI outlined the expense involved in relation to the pilot. I note from today's presentation that SEAI hopes to have a further 100 homes completed this year. Perhaps Mr. Gannon would explain the reason for the small scale of the project and why only a further 100 homes are expected to be completed this year.

In regard to the EPA, I am interested in the issue of methane emissions, particularly from livestock. Is the agency aware of the Canadian and Australian research by James Cook University of Queensland and James Cook University Australia in particular which found that the addition of a less than 2% dried seaweed to a cow's diet could reduce methane emissions by as much as 99% and if Teagasc or any other body is working on that research? It seems too good to be true but I would welcome the witnesses' views on the issue.

I will invite Deputy Stanley and Deputy Dooley to put their questions at this point, following which the witnesses can respond to all three sets of questions.