Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

They are the inconvenient truth. In agriculture, CAP reform is contributing to a significant reduction in tonnage, as is afforestation. Deputy Durkan referred to landfill. Landfill gas capture is operating so efficiently that it will reduce emissions by 500,000 tonnes over the period in question. These are the facts and figures and while Members can quibble with them, to say nothing is done is clearly untrue. It is clear the Government has made and is continuing to make huge efforts to reduce Ireland's emissions, which will continue into the future. The Government will report annually on the implementation of this strategy and will continually revise our emissions projections.

Deputy O'Dowd made a number of proposals. He first referred to public sector fleets. Changes are under way because it is a good proposal, which is incorporated in the climate change strategy. He stated an annual report should be published, with which I agree. It is also provided for in the strategy, which also contains a proposition to create a high level commission, which would respond to the Taoiseach. I am not sure about Deputy Durkan's suggestion regarding mirrors at night time and how they might work but I would be fascinated if he would forward further details. The process I have outlined will be transparent and it will be clear to everybody how effective are our policies. The EU has agreed to a minimum reduction in emissions of 20% by 2020 and the strategy deals with this. I commend the amendment and the strategy to the House.

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