Dr. Orlaigh Quinn:

It is certainly true to say that the economic and employment implications of a transition to a low-carbon economy and addressing the concept of a just transition were identified in the national mitigation plan. That plan is the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment but we obviously have a very strong interest in it and have played our part as a stakeholder. We must acknowledge that there are implications for employment in any transition, including, as Deputy Corcoran Kennedy mentioned, in terms of peat extraction, power generation and other environmental services. We are very conscious of the transition period that some enterprises need in order to move from their current state to a low-carbon state. The bioeconomy policy statement, for example, identified the opportunities to grow rural and regional businesses and jobs, and we see this as a major opportunity. In fact, I think when the Minister published her most recent budget statement, her focus was very much on Brexit, regional development and innovation, which are the three themes on which we are working with her to deliver. There is huge potential to grow rural business. We accept that for some enterprises the opportunities are not there and it will take time. We also recognise that our current employment figures are extremely successful and we now face a very different set of problems from those we faced seven years ago when we had 16% unemployment. We now have 5.4% unemployment. Again, part of the model we are working on will flow from the research that Professor Ferguson outlined regarding the pilot bioeconomy centre at Lisheen.

We are aware of the new employment opportunities from a circular economy. This is one of the areas we have flagged. We are currently working on and hope to publish in January the future jobs initiative for Ireland. Up to now we have had the Action Plan for Jobs. It has been extremely successful and delivered 370,000 jobs. However, we are in a different phase of economic development now so we are working on identifying the following: quality jobs; pressure points; and areas where Ireland can innovate and add value. That reflects back on the work that we have done in identifying our research priorities. It will set our priorities and how we advance for the next future cycle of Ireland's development.

I have outlined our position. Perhaps my colleagues might wish to comment.