Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Professor Convery and Mr. O'Sullivan. I listened with interest to their contributions on innovation and agree with them. I spoke at previous hearings on the alignment of policies and target setting. It is all very well to set targets, but if in our sectors there is no alignment with the overall national policy on how to reduce carbon emissions, we will find it very difficult to achieve any target or progress. What are the delegates' views on target setting? What practical innovation do they see in the various sectors? We have had contributions from the sectors, but are there major issues about which the delegates would like to speak to the committee regarding innovation? Is that something we need to constantly keep revising and reviewing to find new ways of dong things?

I gave some practical examples the other day where people in industry were genuinely trying to reduce their carbon emissions - for example, by installing hydroelectric schemes or wind turbines - but when they go to do it, they have difficulty in connecting to the grid or there are planning issues. The old structures are still in place and this blocks innovation. Is that what the delegates are trying to get at regarding alignment, new innovations and ensuring we make progress? Will they develop that point a little further?