Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to offset the carbon emissions arising from Ministerial air travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/07]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on following the example of the British Government and putting in place carbon offsetting measures to counteract travel undertaken by Government officials and civil servants when travelling on behalf of State. [10149/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 512 together.

The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 commits the Government to the introduction of a voluntary carbon offsetting scheme from the beginning of 2008. This scheme will apply to all air travel associated with Government business, including flights by Ministers and by civil servants.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the targets outlined in the first climate change strategy were not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/07]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the efficacy of the National Climate Change Strategy 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14001/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 511 and 583 together.

Measures put in place since the publication of the first National Climate Change Strategy in 2000 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 8.6 million tonnes per annum during the Kyoto Protocol Commitment Period 2008-2012. A further annual reduction of almost 5 million tonnes will be achieved over the same period as a result of additional measures set out in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012. When combined with Ireland's purchase of additional allowances through the Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms, annual emissions savings of over 17 million tonnes will be achieved during the 2008-2012 period.