Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Donnelly. It has been a really interesting conversation and there is so much to go through. Senator Higgins spoke about the range of the targets and how the ceiling is the top of the range we are considering. I understand Ms Donnelly's point that sectoral targets are within the remit of the Government to set and that the council has set the overall target and given a pathway towards that. As we start to review that work, examine the sectoral targets and make recommendations to the Government, how important will it be to have sectoral targets that go beyond the top of the range to provide a buffer? We are considering a number of targets spread across a number of portfolios, each with its own potential, risks and challenges. Should we go beyond the top of that range in order that if one sector fails, another can meet that shortfall?

I do not know whether the climate change committee undertook a risk analysis of the different measures and how likely they are to facilitate meeting a target, but it is an area we might need to look into. It seems we are relying significantly on the transition to renewable energy. What is the risk in that? What is the likelihood of that renewable energy being in place in time? Did the Climate Change Advisory Council do a risk analysis of all the key policies the Government could put into play? Which ones are feasible and which are more risky, or is that something which should be done as part of the committee's work in making recommendations on the climate targets?