The carbon footprint of Government Ministers is nearly four times the average Irish per capita level of greenhouse gas emissions due to the extent of their State travel.
Figures compiled by The Irish Timesshow that between them in 2006, the 15 members of the Cabinet produced more than 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from travel alone, or an average of 62 tonnes each. Per capita emissions in Ireland currently stand at 16.8 tonnes.
The figures have emerged amid a high-profile campaign by the Government, called the Power of One, set up to encourage members of the public to take personal action to reduce the amount of energy they use in their daily lives, including walking to work rather than taking the car when practicable.
The figures show that commercial air transport is the single biggest contributor by Ministers to emissions, accounting for more than 500 tonnes.
A significant number of the trips taken by helicopter or on one of the two Government jets were for relatively short journeys within Ireland or to Britain.
These included three trips by helicopter by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to Wicklow and Carlow, and by plane to Knock last September, where he attended a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern emerged as having the largest carbon footprint, due primarily to frequent use of the Government jet for international trips. A spokesman for Mr Ahern said the use of a private jet was necessary as it would be "impossible for the Minister to cover his brief in any effective way if he had to travel at all times on scheduled commercial airlines".
Mr Ahern used commercial flights when practical and "will continue to champion the sustainable agenda", the spokesman added. "Few in Leinster House have his track record in recycling."
The Taoiseach had the second-highest footprint, again due mainly to the international and domestic travel he undertakes by helicopter or Government jet.
The State car fleet is also a significant greenhouse gas generator, due to the engine size of the cars and the distances travelled by Cabinet members.
The Ministers produce 17.5 tonnes on average from their cars a year. This compares with an average figure of 2.8 tonnes for an average Irish car user in 2005.
A spokeswoman for Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, who has one of the highest annual mileages, said the travel was necessary because of his brief, but that he dispensed with the State car and walked in Dublin and Galway as often as possible.
The Irish Timesestimated the carbon footprint based on previously published material on ministerial air travel and on information provided to the Green Party's environment spokesman, Ciarán Cuffe.
"It adds up to quite a substantial figure and perhaps the Cabinet could lead by example by offsetting their carbon footprint, which is what the Norwegian government is doing," Mr Cuffe said.