Farming’s carbon reduction target must not exceed the minimum 22% figure, Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill has said.

Cahill, who is chair of the Oireachtas agriculture committee, has thrown down the gauntlet to his Fianna Fáil party colleagues, telling the Irish Farmers Journal that new funding is also required for farmers to help them meet this target.

He has made his demands known to Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Negotiations are ongoing in Government over a definitive reduction target of between 22% and 30% for the sector.

Cahill said that the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane (emissions from grassland livestock farming) must be taken into account in relation to the target for agriculture.

Cahill has invited Professor Myles Allen and other experts on biogenic methane to address his committee.

Green Party TD Brian Leddin, who sits on the Oireachtas agriculture committee, said a range of views on biogenic methane are required. “Anything else would be irresponsible,” he said.

Leddin denied that the negotiations are causing tension within the coalition, stating that the “Government is working well together on this”.