Dr. John Curtis:

The assertion we are making is based on a considerable body of research, including the ESRI's work and the reports we have put out. The analysis is transparent and has been submitted for peer review. It has been reviewed not just by our colleagues within the institute, but by anonymous peers from universities and the like. Emissions have been increasing. We had a reduction in emissions during the financial crisis when the economy contracted. As Professor FitzGerald indicated, the size of the economy and the population of the country are both expanding. The nature of those increases means we expect a growth in emissions. Professor FitzGerald pointed out that if petrol costs and fuel costs in general were cheaper, we would have more emissions. We have put the evidence out there. The members of the committee and the other Members of the Oireachtas can take it on board.