Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the latest discussion at EU level regarding EU 2030 GHG emissions targets and the role of agriculture in contributing to carbon sequestering. [38261/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has adopted a whole of Government approach to climate policy discussions, which are being led by my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.  We have been engaged in intensive discussions with the European Commission - both DG Clima and DG Agriculture - and with our European colleagues to ensure the October 2014 Council Conclusions are fully recognised in the effort sharing proposals.

The recently released proposal for an Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) contains a number of proposed flexibilities. Under the proposal Ireland has potential to use 2.7 Mt CO2 eq per annum from LULUCF in order to meet its emission reduction requirements, based on a combined contribution of net afforestation and cropland and grassland management activities.

Collectively the Irish Government has agreed its approach to responding to these proposals and will take advantage of the opportunity to raise the matter at European Parliament and at Working Group level which are ongoing at present.

Our forests sequester carbon by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and then storing it in trees, other vegetation and in soils.  Farm practices such as the establishment and maintenance of landscape features which can assist with achieving carbon sequestration benefits are supported through our Rural Development Programme. We are also engaging in research focussed on the carbon sequestration potential of agricultural soils.

It should also be noted that Ireland is one of a small number of EU countries to have elected to report on cropland and grazing land management activities under the Kyoto Protocol (KP). This would allow Ireland to take advantage of any sequestration benefits that may be allowed in the future from these activities.