Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are welcome to the committee. One of the witnesses said that this was important economically, socially and environmentally, and they were the priorities given. I presume the next group could give its priorities as being environmental, economic and social. It is good that we hear all of the views. I take it the group's priorities in this respect are economic, social and environmental.

Do the witnesses consider there is anything missing from the heads of the Bill or that there is a glaring gap in it? Enough has been said about the targets, although I had intended to ask a question about those. I note in the paper submitted by Mr. Joseph Curtin that he stated that no comprehensive analysis with regard to targets, similar to that which has been done in other European countries such as Germany and the UK, had been undertaken in Ireland. One would think there would be a need for comprehensive analysis and that we as a committee would need that. The EPA has done some initial research on it, but would Mr. Curtin recommend that the committee obtain such analysis before we make any decision?

I believe the position regarding tariffs in Europe will change big time because of a court case an Irish man took on his own to bring the European Union to heel. He did not bring his case to the Irish Government. Would the witnesses put an emphasis on one tariff over another? We are an agricultural country and we have talked about that during this entire process. Anaerobic digestion is the poor relation in tariffs here and perhaps it has to be. Have the witnesses a view on that? I intend to put that question all the guests who will appear before the committee today.

In terms of the companies the group represents and that have amalgamated with companies in other jurisdictions to plan further afield, have the targets they have introduced to ensure they reach maximum targets harmed or hindered the business in any way? Have the companies in the group learned anything in this respect that they could transfer to Ireland?.

One of the witnesses said that the expert advisory group was not strong enough. In his view, what is needed to strengthen it?