Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that his predictions on the amount of carbon absorbed by carbon sinks are accurate; if there will be extensive recalculations in advance of the 2012 Kyoto deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36550/08]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way the deduction from gross carbon emissions for carbon sinks is calculated for accounting under Kyoto Protocol rules and when these forests were planted, and that they are net afforestation since 1990; the way it is deduced that carbon sinks reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36613/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 190 together.

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for assessing Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, including the impact of sequestration by carbon sinks. The forecast figures used in the Carbon Budget last week reflect those contained in the report Ireland's National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections to 2020 issued by the Agency on 25 September 2008. However, as indicated in the Emissions Table which I presented with the Carbon Budget, the methodologies for calculation of sinks are still evolving and these numbers may require adjustment before finalisation for 2008-2012.

The principle of carbon sinks and the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is established in the Kyoto Protocol. According to Article 2 of the Protocol, the protection and enhancement of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and the promotion of sustainable forest management practices, afforestation and reforestation are among the policies the Parties may implement to meet their respective commitments. The rules of the Protocol allow Parties to include sequestration from net afforestation since 1990, that is sequestration from the planting of new forest since 1990, less the effects of deforestation over the same period.