Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that the Deputy is asking the question slightly in the dark because he has seen phase 1, but he has not seen the phase 2 report. I am genuinely anxious to get this report published so people can see what is in it. The Deputy mentioned the intensification of farming in certain areas. There are options in the report and certain scenarios are laid out in it, so it is not directing us as policymakers to do A, B, C or D. It is a very significant piece of work that has been done and it will absolutely guide us going forward. I will use this opportunity to say in the context of looking at land use that while people focus on agriculture it is important to note that agricultural emissions reduced again last year. There are many people in the agricultural sector, in the farming sector, who are really changing practices very well and are leading by example. This can actually help and I would like to see some of the particular examples scaled up. I am genuinely anxious to get this published. It is not in my gift alone; we have to do it in conjunction with two sister Departments. I want to do that before Christmas. It would inform a very good debate in the Oireachtas at committee but also, I would suggest, in plenary in this Chamber.

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