Dr. Orlaigh Quinn:

I will start, and I will ask Ms Bourke to come in on the emissions trading scheme, ETS. Professor Ferguson might comment on the science in terms of the research centres.

From the Department's perspective, our main contribution to reducing emissions is through the European Union ETS. That involves approximately 100 of Ireland's largest energy users who account for 25% of emissions. All Irish industrial installations with installed energy generating capacity of more than 30% are included in the ETS. For the larger energy users, they are there. Is it achieving its aims? It is true that we are not on course to meet our climate change targets. The projections are that we will fall short of both our emissions and our renewable energy targets. We have a target set and we are working to achieve that. It is estimated that we will reach approximately 80% of the target.

What I have heard is that as the 2013 to 2020 requirements from the EU in particular run out, the sectors covered must reduce emissions by 43%, so there are areas on which we have to work. Our job is to help companies move towards those targets. We have a number of schemes in place. Enterprise Ireland, EI, and IDA Ireland can talk about their specific schemes. In particular, we work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

It is the case that as enterprises, and particularly smaller enterprises, move to reduce emissions there will be costs involved and, over time, there will be areas that we will need to help and incentivise to do that.

Deputy Sherlock mentioned the food companies. Some of the bigger food companies are in that sector. Many of them are already in the 100 companies, so they are working already to reduce their emissions. There is a huge amount of work going on in that area. Those of us in the Department are very much involved in the research aspects. Professor Ferguson can speak on the research institutes. I will ask Ms Bourke to contribute on the ETS.