National Mitigation Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2017

Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Ceisteanna (229, 230)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

229. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the nature of the expertise in carbon sequestration in peatlands he is able to rely on within his Department or by means of consultancy contracts when considering whether actions relating to peatland carbon sequestration should be included in the national mitigation plan and whether to support the mandatory inclusion of wetland management in the proposed 2030 targets for the non-traded emissions from EU member states. [22346/17]

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

230. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the analysis he has carried out or has access to regarding the cost effectiveness of greenhouse gas mitigation by means of storing and sequestering carbon in peatlands. [22347/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

I refer to the answers to Questions Nos. 300 of 6 April 2017 and 1298 of 2 May 2017. As I set out in reply to those questions, I am open to considering further work on the role of wetlands in the context of the National Mitigation Plan, building on the experience of research already undertaken. A number of Departments and Agencies will be in a position to provide input into any such analysis which, I envisage, will be taken forward in the context of the National Mitigation Plan. It is, however, premature at this stage to indicate what approach will be taken in relation to the procurement of consultancy expertise to assist with this analysis, or to indicate the position regarding the cost effectiveness of greenhouse gas mitigation by means of storing and sequestering carbon in peatlands.