Mr. Matthew Collins:

I have not examined the lessons they have drawn in terms of their imports policy. The lesson about which we are talking is that a number of years ago the Kinsale gas field was depleting. If the Corrib gas field had not arrived on the scene and not been developed, we would now be 100% dependent on natural gas. That would lead to full dependency on energy imports. That is the rationale regarding the link and the question as to why the restriction would not have reduced our emissions. We would have continued to use natural gas, but it would have been imported.

With regard to Costa Rica, the two countries are very different. We are not excluding or promoting any of the technologies used. The challenge we face is that we recognise the range of uncertainties in how future technologies and policies will work and how effective they may be. We are not excluding particular technologies. What we want to do is keep all available options on the table that will operate in delivering sustainable, secure and affordable energy supplies. It is not simply possible for us to focus on one single objective. That is why we urge that policy entail an integrated approach. The IPCC has advised that a wide range of measures should be adopted in mitigation strategies, partly for impact but also in terms of their cost-effectiveness.