The European Council has secured a compromise on the EU's overall climate change targets.

Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly, welcomed the decision and said the 2020 targets were "unrealistic".

Minister Kelly said: "This deal recognises that we have secured recognition across the EU of the importance of a sustainable agriculture and land use sector, including afforestation, as a key consideration in ensuring coherence between the EU’s food security and climate change objectives, said the Minister.

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"Having met two weeks ago with outgoing climate change Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, I made it clear that Ireland would not be signing up to any future targets that would be unachievable.

"Through a combination of efforts across various Government departments, the Taoiseach on behalf of Ireland has secured acknowledgement of its concerns and there is a clear commitment to secure consensus at further European council meetings, beyond the 2015 Climate COP in Paris, on how this collective ambition will be shared out across Member States in a fair and balanced manner."

(CD/MH)