Dr. Brian Ó Gallachóir:

It raises a good point. The size of the challenge is such that we need everything we can get.

The other point is there are no silver bullets. Sometimes we tend to focus on individual technologies, and that has been the problem. As I said, in terms of policy we have been successful in certain areas but we have missed the bigger picture.

In terms of legislating for 2020, the 2020 target is already legally binding because it is part of an EU legally-binding agreement. We have a legally-binding target and we are not on track to meet it. Returning to the question of what we can do in the legislation to improve the prospects of getting to the 2030 targets, it requires a firmed-up commitment. We have these targets. We need a policy that looks at the whole picture and ensures that the individual elements add up. If they do not add up, we will not meet the target. That is where we are at currently. If they add up or if we look for where the gaps and change elements so that they add up, then we have a better chance of meeting the targets.

As to whether we have a lesser change in the absence of firm targets, the targets provide a useful goal in aiming for something. We need a roadmap to show us how to get there. Which comes first is less important in the sense that if we develop a roadmap, then we have a target at the end at which to aim, or if we start with a target, we will develop a roadmap. Essentially, we need both.