Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his carbon footprint and that of each Minister of State in his Department; the change in this footprint after one year in office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33331/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The website of the Government's climate change awareness campaign, www.change.ie, provides a carbon calculator that enables everyone to work out their own carbon footprint. Using this tool, my Department has estimated that the CO2 emissions arising in the course of my ministerial functions for the period 14 June 2007 to 14 June 2008 amounted to 11.38 tonnes. Of this, 5.92 tonnes related to air travel, which is fully offset under the Government's carbon offsetting scheme for official travel. There is no equivalent figure for the previous year, as I did not take up the post until 14 June 2007.

My Department has calculated the carbon emissions arising from the ministerial functions of the Minister of State (with special responsibility for the Information Society and Natural Resources) for the period 12 May to 30 September 2008 to be 0.358 tonnes of which 0.221 tonnes arose from air travel and is therefore offset.