Mr. Richard Kennedy:

The first thing I would say is that before we go there, we would need to set the baseline. We simply do what has been done in Northern Ireland because then once we have the baseline, we at least have a scope on which to set out what is required. Industry is to a large extent being driven and forced. There are two areas from a carbon point of view. There is the emissions trading scheme where large industry for energy has a requirement. That has developed itself but is being driven by the requirements. Again, however, there are two really key parts to that. One is the fact that it is verified. If one makes savings in that area or changes, we will say, from fossil fuel to renewable energy, it is verified. It is not just that someone says they did it. It is verified. Then, there is a monetary incentive to do that or a disincentive - whichever you want to call it.

My sense is that first of all, we have to identify what we must do and in doing that, we measure our baselines. Then, certainly, as that information comes in, if we look at the scheme in Northern Ireland, it is very interesting. They are now proposing that farmers do not have to join it but if they want to get the grants that are being constructed in Northern Ireland then they have to join. It is not that I am necessarily advocating that aspect but the first thing is to set out, achieve or measure and understand that baseline. Once we have that, we can set out the scope of what is required. One has to eat the proverbial elephant in bite-sized chunks and that is the first bite.

In terms of putting together an ICBF equivalent, I would not have any issue with it. Certainly, I agree that the ICBF's contribution has been phenomenal but I would first of all want to set out the scope. That is why I think a clearer direction of travel on carbon and carbon policy is very important. As I said, the other ask I would have is to baseline every hectare we have because as the Vice Chairman mentioned, it would pick up peatlands and others to understand where exactly we are on that.

I will make one other point. Ireland is unique because 21% of the land base - I think it is 21% but I can be corrected - is organic base, so it is peat. That is, therefore, unique in terms of other European countries and puts us in a unique position but it also is something we must address. We would see it as an opportunity. We would have spoken and met with Bord na Móna on this as well. Bord na Móna only owns roughly 7% of that peatland; it does not own 7% of that 21%.