While the figures are not published until later this month, RTÉ News understands the transport and agriculture sectors have been underestimated by as much as 12%.
Ireland's record on greenhouse gas emissions is stark - we are supposed to only emit 13% above 1990 levels, but currently stand at 25% - a total which is expected to go up rather than down.
Now it has emerged that the Government's projections on greenhouse gas emissions are significantly out of kilter.
The statistics mean Ireland is significantly further from its Kyoto Protocol target than previously thought and this has forced the Cabinet into examining what 'additional measures' it can take to reduce emissions.
If the Government promise of reducing emissions by 3% each year is to be achieved, those measures would need to achieve results almost immediately.
