Ms Julie O'Neill:

I come at this in number of ways. If I am asked to take on any job, the first thing I look at is what the legislation says the role of the body is, as I am being asked to do a job within that legislation. The Sustainable Energy Act 2002 sets out clearly the functions of the authority, namely, to promote and assist an environmentally and economically sustainable production supply and use of energy, energy efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gas and to promote research in that area.

To start with, our focus is on sustainable energy. Fracking is not a sustainable form of energy, so it does not come within our remit. Therefore, it is not something we would be directly involved with. In terms of measures that improve energy efficiency, it is open to us to express a view to Government and to put forward proposals to it in terms of what type of grant supports we feel we could most valuably use and get a return from in the context of sources of energy and efficiency and how they might be dealt with.

In regard to targets, I think the Deputy is referring to whether there should be targets in the climate Bill. This is something I believe is ultimately a matter for Government policy. We make an input in terms of our research. On targets generally, we make an input on the objective analysis of where we are in regard to targets and what it would take to achieve them. The decision on what goes into legislation must be a matter for the Government of the day and for the Department bringing proposals to Government.

While I understand that discussion and debate, I can also understand that putting binding legal targets in legislation when, at the same time, trying to negotiate internationally with colleagues in Europe and beyond might be an issue for Government. It is something from which I would stay back and on which I would not offer a view. I would say it is something that is not within the gift of the authority to do.

I would ask what is our job. Our job is to offer advice on climate change and sustainable energy generally and to bring forward and, if funded, to deliver efficiently and effectively, programmes and supports that will enhance sustainable energy and help us meet those targets. Ultimately, it is the Government of the day which makes the energy policy and we contribute to it.