Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

This commitment is already demonstrated by Ireland's signature and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol which represents a real and significant contribution to combating global climate change. Ireland's Kyoto Protocol target is to limit emissions to 13% above 1990 levels. This target is the product of negotiations at international and subsequent EU levels. The Kyoto Protocol set emissions reduction targets for developed countries of 5% on 1990 values by 2012 and within this overall target, the then EU 15 were given a reduction target of 8% relative to 1990 levels. Ireland's target is the product of a burden-sharing agreement between the EU 15. This burden sharing identified Ireland's economic development at the time of the discussions.

The Government's policy approach to meeting the State's Kyoto Protocol target is set out in the national climate change strategy. This is the appropriate place for discussion of national and sectoral targets. The Government is not against setting targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

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