Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am about to answer the question. The fact that the Minister was responding to a wide-ranging interview and gave his opinion on these matters is fine. These matters are not raised directly with me. However, the question of offsetting the carbon footprint from the use of air travel by Ministers is an arrangement which the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has brought into place. Indeed, he has backdated the arrangement to the beginning of the Administration in 2007 following the general election. Initiatives have been taken by the Minister concerned from a carbon emissions point of view. This was a good initiative and one which heightens awareness of the issue and ensures there is an offset in respect of any carbon emissions arising as a result of the use of these aircraft for Government purposes. It is a good initiative.

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