Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we are to achieve our overall targets, which we have set out clearly in law, we need to take a number of measures. I have mentioned just some of the reductions we have seen, including in energy or agriculture overall, which includes our forestry targets, and focusing on our environment, overall economy, transport and private sector.

The critical issue is that whatever we do - and I will repeat this whether it relates to agriculture, forestry or plantation - it has to be backed by science. We know that there are certain permits for planting on shallower peat soil, less than 30 cm deep. Again, where it is permitted, possible and follows the science, we must explore all avenues. We have a huge amount of work in planting 500,000 acres to be able to meet that 18% target but there are other areas in which we need to make progress as well.

We have made huge progress, with more than 50% of our energy coming from renewable energy at a certain time last March. We have a target of 80% and we need to do more to ensure we can reach that target, otherwise we are at risk of energy insecurity and the challenges that come with that.

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