The seminar also provided an opportunity for the research communities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic to explore areas of mutual interest. Institutes in both areas are collaborating on a number of projects funded by the Department. The event went on to look at ongoing research on methane and nitrous oxide mitigation, the role of forestry, the economic impact of various emissions reduction strategies, and opportunities in trans-national research under the EU Framework Programme. The seminar also reminded the attendees of the Department's commitment to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by demonstrating that approximately €7m has been committed to funding research projects directly related to this area through RSF calls in the 2005 - 2007 period.

This investment is virtually doubled when account is taken of other RSF-funded research projects on agriculture energy, animal manure utilisation, and animal production that indirectly contribute to tackling the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. The Department is hopeful that the eventual findings from all these RSF-funded projects will help enable Irish Agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the sector. The Department also believes that this event will make a valuable contribution in its on-going efforts to find solutions that will enable the sector to play its part in meeting Ireland's overall climate change commitments.

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