Mr. Thomas Murray:

It is interesting that in its recently-published climate change package, the Commission has decided not to renew the so-called 20-20-20 target, that is, a 20% improvement in efficiency, a 20% increase in the use of renewable sources and a 20% reduction in carbon emissions. Some would state the best energy efficiency is no energy and therefore, energy usage should be reduced and that probably is the best way to go. Rather than that, the Commission is proposing in respect of renewable sources at least 20% of the total energy mix - I emphasise "total energy mix" - binding only at European Union level. In other words, the target would be reached in a combination of the entire European Union. The message about competitiveness, certainly from our perspective in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is one we would welcome. Our colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government may not share that particular perspective but the way it is going at European level, certainly because it is being put to the fore at Heads of Government level at the European Council in March, will give a better focus to the competitive aspects of all this. Moreover, the 40% emissions target is the one on which the Commission now is concentrating. Ultimately, that will be agreed by leaders and thereafter, the Commission then will propose a legislative package for 2015 around the whole area of European Union emissions targets but that would be the only binding target, as far as I understand.