Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The difference between the corporate leaders' approach this morning and IBEC's approach is stark. They were keen on having certainty and referred to the UK approach as being positive in giving certainty for people, for example, in the energy sector.

Mr. Walker said we should not do solo runs here. Would he be in favour of inserting into the Bill the targets to which we have already more or less subscribed? The main emphasis in the IBEC submission appears to be on avoiding measures that increase the cost burden on employers. On the other side of that, has it quantified the damage-type issues, such as increased insurance costs and investment in water infrastructure? Would the cost of inaction be more than the cost of action?

This morning, the corporate leaders pointed to the need for a broader vision that would cascade down into each of the sectors. Would Mr. Walker agree with that approach? The decision on where responsibility is placed at Government level ties into that. He has already said that the Department of the Taoiseach should not have the responsibility. That broad vision seems to be a very sensible approach. We would have to come back to how it might be defined. Does Mr. Walker believe the science on the targets up to 2020?