Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Some of the language here is almost Orwellian. I refer to anyone looking in and hearing talk of statistical transfers and proposed ratification of agreements for target compliance purposes. This is a €50 million fine for failing to meet agreed targets, and we should be explicit about that. It is slightly more complicated in respect of the mechanisms, but we should be straight in this regard.

For clarification purposes, a small number of European states are in the same boat as ourselves, including Malta, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Are there others, or is it only those countries? Regarding the targets, the Minister touched on some of the reasons he thinks we missed them. It is important that we think about that aspect and seek to address it. He also mentioned that Denmark more or less had a 40-year head start on us in this area. Are there other reasons, however, he thinks we have missed these targets? Were those targets fair and reasonable at the outset? In the briefing note, it is stated that our starting point was 2005, when it was 3.1%, and we had to make up 12.9% over the 15 years. When did we commit to that? Was it in 2009 or later? I am just trying to get a sense of what the expectation was for us. Was it to achieve about 1% in reductions per year? That strikes me as reasonable, and gives some perspective on the scale of our failure, for want of a better phrase. Regarding the 2.5 TWh of energy, is that the equivalent of the 3% to 4% and is it a direct comparator?

Turning to the Minister's opening statement, and the 55% to 60% equivalence with the EU-wide target, I raise this in respect of the programme for Government commitment and the figure of 51% which has been widely mentioned in public. Is the difference there in the comparable baseline figure? Are we talking about a 2018 baseline figure compared with a 2019 baseline figure, for example? I ask that because it is generally helpful to be clear and consistent in respect of our terminology and how we report these things. Otherwise, it can seem as if we are massaging figures or using them in different ways. I am not suggesting that is what is happening here. I just think there is a benefit in a consistency of approach.

On a related issue, the guidelines for onshore wind farms are long out of date. Will the Minister give us an update on where we are at with new guidelines and when we will see them published?