Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to taking the year 2050 and looking back from it, a modelling exercise was done in Harvard in the 1990s and no matter what way the figures were inputted, the result was either an economic or ecological crash. It puts the issue of sustainability centre stage when it is considered in this way. We might not think we will recover from the economic crash, but it is a hell of a lot less of a challenge than an ecological crash from which we would not be able to recover. It is important we see it in this context and work to avoid it.

The witnesses are correct that the governance will drive this. According to the heads of the Bill, the Government and the Minister will be very much in the driving seat, and the lack of independence has been raised again and again. I like the idea of the advisory council having a community element because we must all take ownership of it if it is to work. Will the witnesses clarify what they mean by a carbon-neutral economy? In their view, what scale of emissions reduction is necessary to achieve it? The agricultural sector wants agriculture dealt with on a pan-European basis. Will the witnesses comment on this and what impact it might have? Should Ireland unilaterally declare a 2030 target in advance to ensure investment decisions? Should we go beyond 2020? Is there a negative to this as well as a positive in terms of investment decisions?