Environment Minister delivers 'carbon budget'

The Environment Minister John Gormley has confirmed the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency show that carbon emissions for 2007 were down 1% on the previous year.

Presenting his carbon budget to the Dáil this afternoon, Mr Gormley said there was a strong trend towards lower emission vehicles since changes to the car-tax regime were introduced in July.

Minister Gormley also told the Dáil that 40% of the country's electricity was to be secured through renewable sources by the year 2020 - an increase of 7% on the previous target.