Mr. Brian Carroll:

There is quite a bit there. I will begin with the issue of sectoral targets, and then call on my colleague, Mr. Finucane, to deal with energy efficiency. I will start by addressing the 2020 targets. When setting targets for climate mitigation, it is very important that any target signed up to is technically achievable, considerations of cost efficiency have been factored in and there is fairness in how the burden is shared among all countries. We are one of three countries that had the highest mitigation target for 2020 in the EU set-up, which was a 20% reduction. It is true that at best, we will have a 4% to 6% reduction against that 20% reduction target. There are some reasons for this. Some of it is due to our limited post-crash public investment capacity. Emissions growth has been coupled with economic growth from 2015, so our emissions have worsened. There are certain structural constraints in terms of a very large agricultural sector, with 46% of our non-emissions trading system, ETS, emissions coming from agriculture. This compares with 18% in the EU 28, and there is limited mitigation potential.

In terms of transport, the bulk of our emissions come from private car journeys and freight and we have a dispersed settlement pattern. In terms of 2030, it has been suggested that Ireland sought every concession and every flexibility. In fact, when the Commission published its effort-sharing regulation proposal, Ireland largely supported the proposal as published. That is factual. In terms of how we now address the 2030 target of a 30% reduction and the best way to deal with it, we will have to consider further policies, actions and measures. It will involve Exchequer investment, private sector investment, regulation, tax measures, information provision and changes in the behaviour of individuals. Many of these have been mentioned already. Deputy Dooley asked whether the Department and the Minister recognise the scale of the problem and the answer is "yes". The answer to whether we recognise the urgency of action is also "yes".

A comment was made on a Department of Public Expenditure and Reform memorandum from September, which highlighted the inadequacy of the appraisal system. That agreed with the diagnosis made in July in the national mitigation plan that the appraisal system was not fit for purpose.

There is an action in the national mitigation plan, which is to be completed in 2018, to address that and that work is under way. The September memorandum referred to, therefore, is simply confirming something that is explicitly recognised in the national mitigation plan, with an action to address it in 2018, and that will be done.

The last comment was about the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, seeing the need for further actions. Further action is absolutely needed.