Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are two aspects to this, one of which is developing the tools to be able to measure additional sequestration. Teagasc is doing significant research work on how to assess that. I have provided it with the funding to do that. Flux towers across the country are assessing in detail what is happening at farm level, what is going into the soil, what is coming out of it, and developing a toolkit to be able to implement it on a more widespread basis.

Along the lines of what the Deputy is suggesting, I announced the soil sampling scheme some weeks ago. I have invested €10 million in the scheme this year and it will continue next year. That is about having an assessment at farm level to establish the baselines for carbon content in soil and organic matter in soil. It is important for that to happen on all farms in the coming years. Once we have the toolkit to measure how additional sequestration is captured, we can develop the monetisation of that carbon sequestration and provide a return to farmers for it. It is important work with great potential and something we are developing.

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