Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have listened to all parties in this House, and no party that I have heard has indicated that it plans to set targets for a reduction of the national herd. What Teagasc has done is shown the immense opportunities that exist not only in farming methods, where it believes we can deliver a 3 metric tonnes reduction, but also in land use where potential lies in areas like forestry, restricting agriculture on organic soils, grassland management and in replacing fossil fuels. Many of those technologies are more uncertain than the ones that have been the focus of the climate action plan, that is, those in the category of better farming methods. That said, there is no doubt that we can look at those other elements of the Teagasc marginal abatement cost curve, MACC.

The Deputy is right to say that consultation with stakeholders is going to be key in every sector, but particularly in agriculture where traditional methods of working are so interwoven into rural life. It is not just about getting people to switch from X to Y; this is about a whole way of life. It is not unlike peat in the midlands. It is woven into the fabric and is very difficult to manage, which is one of the challenges.

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