Mr. Peter Brennan:

The European Council has agreed that the European Union, as a community of 28 member states, will be at a figure of around minus 80% by 2050. It has not agreed the split per member state, to re-emphasise Mr. Curtin's point. It is, therefore, possible that Ireland could be well above or below that figure. It a global European target. It is critical that the Bill - much more clearly than is the case - write down that we are committed to heading in the direction of a low-carbon economy. The language should be clear, although it is not that clear. In that way, policy makers, regulator, investors and households would know where we were going. It is absolutely critical to have a clear vision statement set out in the Bill.

The expert group should have scientists, academics and other independent people. I agree with Mr. Curtin that the more independent experts are, the higher the degree of confidence that the NGOs and politicians will have that the expert group can do its business. That is what has happened in other jurisdictions. There are plenty of precedents for how the mix might be worked in looking at other jurisdictions.

I was asked about my involvement in the last Bill. There was a tender competition to appoint advisers to the Oireachtas and I happened to win that tender. I work for myself and do not represent anyone other than myself. I am self-employed.