Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 586: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he will take to reach the target in his Department in relation to the programme for Government commitment of a 3% annual reduction on carbon emissions; his views on whether such a target will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29135/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to setting a target of a reduction of 3% per year on average in greenhouse gas emissions. Separately, the European Council agreed at its Spring 2007 meeting to set a target of a reduction of at least 20% in greenhouse gases by 2020 — rising to 30% if there is an international agreement that fulfils certain conditions. Under its burden-sharing proposal to implement the Council's decision, the European Commission is asking Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, based on 2005 emissions figures.

The 20% target for Ireland presents a substantial and difficult challenge. Through the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, I am engaged in discussions on the part that the agricultural sector can play, while having due regard to considerations of food security and the continued viability of Irish agriculture.