Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The report of the European Environment Agency, EEA, was published 1 November last. Since then, I engaged in extensive discussions on the report at a subsequent meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government.

The report is based on 2003 data. While it showed Ireland to be approximately 12% above its Kyoto target, the latest EPA data for 2004 show that emissions were just 10% above target. The European Environment Agency did not take account of these data, given that they were not available. This target, of course, is to be achieved in the 2008-12 period. In addition, the most recent EPA data showed that in terms of distance from the Kyoto target, Ireland has approximately 2 million tonnes per year less than previously estimated.

There are three strands to the Government's approach to achieving the further reductions needed to meet the significant challenge represented by our Kyoto target: emissions reductions or purchase of carbon allowances by installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme, use of the Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms by the Government to purchase credits for carbon reductions elsewhere in the world and measures to reduce emissions throughout the economy including those set out in the national climate change strategy, other measures which have subsequently been introduced and further initiatives to be identified in the review of the strategy. The breakdown of the national burden between these three strands is intended to allow Ireland achieve the target in the way which imposes the least cost on our economy.

The total allocation of allowances to the emissions trading sector for 2008-12 was recently announced by the Government, and the Environmental Protection Agency is drawing up the detailed national allocation plan for submission to the European Commission. The Government will shortly publish a consultation document on measures to enhance the national climate change strategy and build on our recent initiatives in areas such as biofuels and renewable energy grants.

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