Mr. Barry O'Flynn:

That is a good question. First, we must understand what is the target and why it must be achieved. There is no point in plucking a number out of thin air. There needs to be a reason for it. We must decide if we are going to be carbon neutral and energy independent by 2050 and, if so, why is that the case. We must also indicate our reasons for choosing 2050, rather than 2040 or 2060, as a target. All of the targets we have had to date have been imposed by others. The question I would ask of policy makers is, "What is the right target from Ireland Inc.'s perspective, independent of everyone else?" That is the first question I would ask and on the basis of the answer, I would consider what we are obliged to do and then seek to exceed it. In view of the direction in which climate change is moving and in the light of the growth opportunities in the areas of energy and resource efficiency worldwide, regardless of whether the date is 2050 or otherwise, the targets need to be to achieve carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy. In other words, I am referring to an energy system which would be entirely decarbonised.

What is outlined in the proposed Bill must be underpinned by economic fundamentals. Given that it is the fourth most exposed country in the world in the context of energy imports, Ireland will have a very strong case for achieving the relevant targets. This will drive our growth. Other markets are equally exposed, but, as is the position with all islands, Ireland is the canary in the coalmine in the context of climate change. We are the most exposed in terms of both resources and many of the impacts of climate change. On that basis, we will be among the first to learn about all of this and to develop solutions to it. That is Denmark's goal. Denmark, which is as exposed as everyone else, sees this as a global phenomenon and is taking a first mover advantage approach to it.