Ireland's emissions cuts fall short of the legally-required 51%

Government hopes to make up the five-megatonne shortfall through new technologies and the change of land use

Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett speaking at the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings launch with (left to right) fellow junior minister Martin Heydon and ministers for Agriculture and Environment, Charlie McConalogue and Eamon Ryan respectively. Picture: Conor Ó Mearáin/Collins

Greenhouse gas reduction targets set down by the Government fall short of the 51% cut required by 2030 under the law.

The targets were announced by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue following talks on how much farmers should have to contribute to climate-change measures.