Minister to off-set carbon 'flight-prints'

The Government is reportedly planning to buy so-called "carbon offsets" to compensate for a US business trip being taken by new Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan.

Reports this morning say almost 440 worth of these offsets are being bought to make up for the pollution caused by flights being taken by the Green Party minister and his officials.

"Carbon offsets" are used to fund projects in the developed world that cut CO2 emissions.

They have been described by some critics as a means to assuage wealthy people's guilt about climate change rather than actually doing anything to reduce their polluting behaviour.

This morning's reports say Mr Ryan and his officials will also be using the New York subway during their trip to the US rather than availing of ministerial limousines.