Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We might agree to differ. As Mr. Gleeson said, the buck stops with him. I appreciate that. I refer to carbon sequestration, the programme for Government targets for afforestation and our battle against climate change. Has the Department done a sum on the loss over the lifetime of the plantations that were targeted in the programme for Government? How much of a loss is that sequestration in our battle against climate change?

We will probably be, at best, 5,500 ha behind the target of 8,0000 ha in the programme for Government. Is that the Department's target or do the witnesses feel a lower target is more realistic? Do they feel we could reach a higher target than 8,000 ha? While it is the target in the programme for Government, is that compatible with the Department's target? Has a sum been done on the significant losses of the potential for carbon sequestration and our missed targets?