Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We had three professors before the committee during an earlier session who spoke about methane and the different types of methane - methane from gases and methane from cattle. One third of the methane produced in the world comes from cattle. To put it simply, they gave figures to show that if we got rid of every animal in the world, that would only change the temperature by one third of 0.1%.

The professors were concerned about the reporting in each country in relation to agriculture, its accuracy and the way everything is being lumped to together, rather than a breakdown being given of the methane that basically disappears in ten or 12 years. What has the Department done with whoever it reports to in respect of targets and emissions to ensure these changes come about? What has it done with the EU or the people who keep the climate figures to try to resolve that issue, or has it done anything?